Lemagny's engraved portrait of Picasso was intended for the book Temoignage by Jean Cocteau, published by Pierre Bertrand, Paris, in 1956, in celebration of Picasso's 65th birthday. Before the plate was cut down and printed for the book edition, Picasso added his remarque, signature and the date 20 mai 1956 Nimes to the plate. It is not known whether Lemagny was simply showing the plate with his portrait to Picasso, who then decided on the spot to add the remarque in drypoint, or whether a small edition of the uncut plate with a contribution by him had always been envisaged. In any case, the very realistic portrait of the artist and his own, whimsically sketched heads of a woman and a faun make for a charming combination.
The present artist's proof on Auvergne paper was not known to Baer.