Ornate 23x24" gold-painted heavy wooden frame contains original wax pastel art by world-renowned Spanish painter, sculptor, print-maker, ceramicist, stage designer, poet and playwright Pablo Picasso. As one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th Century, Picasso is known for co-founding the Cubist movement, the invention of constructed sculpture, the co-invention of collage, and for the wide variety of styles that he helped develop and explore. Art has been matted to 8x8.25" and has subtitle in black ink in Picasso's own hand at top - "La Californie," referring to Californie, the most exclusive residential area of Cannes, France. Art has also been dated "Aug. 7, 1956 Cannes A.M." by Picasso (further identifying its origin) and bears French inscription that reads "My Dear Friend - My Telephone Here - 901-82." Given this personalization, art was obviously created for someone he knew well. Below art, Picasso has further personalized the piece w/inscription/signature that reads "My Best To You - Picasso" (translated from the French). Original art depicts the shining sun of the French Riviera at center, its warm rays emanating from within, surrounded by multi-color accent designs representing the Mediterranean Sea. While Picasso is perhaps best known for his Cubist work, his style frequently changed over the course of his career, a shift that can be seen in this mid-1950s piece. Art has vertical crease at center and some scattered lt. handling wear but still displays VF/Exc. as professionally and attractively matted and framed. Comes w/original paperwork/folder from French art auction house Artcurial noting 2008 sale date. Prior to that date, this piece was in the possession of Picasso's daughter, Maya Widmaier-Picasso. As such, piece comes w/photo print of the art which has extensive handwritten notes in Widmaier-Picasso's hand and bears her embossed seal which has her inked thumbprint on back. A truly original example of Picasso art, inscribed, signed and dated by Picasso himself.