Dear Peace News readers,
I am hoping that one of you will be able to help me.
Way back in the 1990s, I think at the time of the Gulf War, I got some paper copies of a Picasso dove image printed for peace banners to use on demos.
I felt that too many of the messages on other banners did not mention ‘Peace’, and that people should have the choice to show that this was what they were demonstrating for.
I had many hundreds printed onto Correx which we made into double-sided banners and handed out on the anti-Iraq war march, and they were much appreciated.
I still get them made for me, and I sell them from home and to Housmans and they have been on many marches and vigils, and are in windows around the world.
Women in Black, London, have them around Edith Cavell’s statue each week at their vigil down in St Martin’s Place [see Caroline’s placard at the 14 December 2018 protest (left) - ed].
The reason I used this image is that I remember being told that Picasso gave this image to the peace movement. But… my problem is now that I cannot remember who told me this and what the source is of this information.
I am hoping that someone is able to verify with a reference of some sort that Picasso did indeed give the image to ‘the peace movement’ and that no one should worry about copyright and royalties and so on.
If you can help, please call PN on 020 7278 3344 or email your info to
Many thanks,
Caroline Simpson, London