1923 Paul dessinant Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a young boy seated at a table, engaged in drawing. He is positioned centrally within the frame, his posture suggesting intense concentration on the task before him. The light source originates from the left side of the scene, illuminating the child and the tabletop while casting deep shadows across the background. This creates a stark contrast that emphasizes the subjects activity and isolates him within the space.
The boy’s attire – a simple shirt and red socks – is rendered with broad brushstrokes, contributing to an overall sense of immediacy and informality. His short hair frames a face turned downwards, obscuring much of his expression but reinforcing the impression of focused effort. The table itself appears to be a functional piece of furniture, perhaps a sewing machine table given its form, which adds a layer of domesticity to the scene. Scattered around the tabletop are pieces of paper, suggesting a process of experimentation and creation.
The color palette is dominated by cool tones – blues and grays – which contribute to a subdued and introspective atmosphere. The use of these colors also flattens the perspective, reducing depth and emphasizing the two-dimensionality of the canvas. This stylistic choice directs attention towards the boy’s activity rather than any illusionistic representation of space.
Subtly, the painting explores themes of childhood creativity and artistic development. Here we see a moment of quiet dedication, hinting at the genesis of an artists journey. The simple setting and unadorned subject matter suggest that inspiration can be found in everyday life and that even the most ordinary objects can become sources of creative exploration. The act of drawing itself becomes symbolic – a representation of learning, self-expression, and the potential for transformation. The shadows enveloping the background could also imply a sense of solitude or introspection inherent to the creative process.