Montblanc recently released two limited-edition fountain pens dedicated to pay homage to Spanish artist extraordinaire and founder of the Cubism movement Pablo Picasso. The company collaborated with the Succession Picasso (Picassos five heirs who own the rights to his works) and Claude Picasso (son of the artist) himself to conceptualize the design of the pens. After much brainstorming, they decided to incorporate elements of his seminal 1936 work Portrait de jeune fille (which featured the sketch of a girl with Picassos handwritten text), as the text seemed like a perfect match for a Montblanc art piece.
The first pen, called the Pablo Picasso Limited Edition 91 and available for Rs20,00,000 is limited to 91 pieces only, a tribute to the number of years the artist lived. The second instrument, even more exclusive with just 39 pieces made (alluding to the number of paintings and drawings of Sylvette David, his muse) is called the Pablo Picasso Limited Edition 39 and is available for Rs33,00,000. Both models have a 750 solid gold skeletonized cap that offers a view of the rhodium-plated 18k gold nib. Engraved in black on the cap are comments and sketches of Picassos work Portrait de jeune fille. The black and grey lacquered bodies of the 91 and 39 models respectively, are reminiscent of the simple pencils with which Picasso drew a multitude of sketches. On the Limited Edition 91 the famous work of art decorates the upper part of the cap with the distinctive face of the portrait forming the artistic clip. The cap has the Montblanc emblem emblazoned in mother-of-pearl and Picassos Spanish origins are reflected on the cone with lacquered red stripes between the rings of solid gold. The nib of the second model (Limited Edition 39) is decorated with an engraving of the famous Picasso hallmark, the Ojo. The Montblanc emblem is featured as a Montblanc cut diamond in the upper part of the cap. The writing instruments are available at the following outlets.
Mumbai
The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai 400 001.
Tel: (022) 2281 6827 / 2285 2151
Grand Hyatt Plaza, Vakola, Santacruz (East), Mumbai 400 055.
Tel: (022) 3068 9001 / 02
JW Marriott, JuhuTara Road, Juhu, Vileparle (West), Mumbai 400 049.
Tel: (022) 2612 0362 / 64
Montblanc Jewellery Salon, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai 400 001.
Tel: (022) 2287 1631 /2287 6336
Navi Mumbai
F12, 1st floor, Inorbit Mall, Vashi, Navi Mumbai 400 705.
Tel: (022) 2781 5580 / 81
Delhi
The Taj Mahal Hotel, One Mansingh Road, New Delhi 110 011.
Tel: (011) 2302 6131 / 32
Maurya Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Diplomat Enclave, New Delhi 110 021.
Tel: (011) 2302 3035 / 2302 3256
Text by Treesha Datta