This original lithograph printed from a zinc plate, Tête de Femme de trois-quarts, 4.1.1953 (Woman's head, three-quarter face) was created January 4, 1953.  Picasso created a variation the prior day and a portrait of similar design and medium on the same day.

At this time Picasso's relationship with Françoise Gilot was deteriorating.  Picasso was in Vallauris and spent time creating lithographs of Balzac and daughter Paloma (born in 1949).    More geneological detail is here.  By September Françoise and the two children leave Picasso and go to Paris.  In the same month, Picasso meets Jacqueline.

The lithograph was printed by Mourlot in a limited edition of 50 examples plus five artist proofs.  This one, signed by Picasso is from the edition of 50.

Mourlot was the famed printer at whose studio Picasso spent much time learning and experimenting with the lithographic medium since 1945.  In the next quarter century Picasso had created more than 800 lithographic images. 

Norton Simon purchased more than 220 of Mourlot's Picasso lithographs in 1977.