1936 TИte Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The drawing presents a fragmented portrait rendered in graphite on paper. The subjects head is depicted with a pronounced distortion of features and form, characteristic of a Cubist approach. A prominent, stylized horn or appendage emerges from the forehead, curving dramatically upwards and outwards, terminating in an ovoid shape reminiscent of a fish’s eye. This element immediately disrupts any conventional understanding of human anatomy and introduces a surreal quality to the work.
The face itself is constructed through a series of parallel lines that create a striated effect across the planes of the nose, cheeks, and forehead. These lines suggest both volume and an underlying tension within the form. The eyes are reduced to simple ovals, one appearing closed or partially obscured, while the other conveys a sense of detached observation. A subtle curve defines the mouth, hinting at a melancholic or contemplative expression.
The hair is indicated by a series of sharply angled lines that radiate from the head, contributing to the overall angularity and fragmentation of the composition. The neck is abbreviated, merging into broad shoulders delineated with similar linear markings.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow created through the varying pressure applied to the graphite. This contributes to a sense of depth and volume despite the flattened perspective. The background is left largely unrendered, allowing the focus to remain entirely on the distorted figure.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of alienation, psychological fragmentation, or perhaps even a symbolic representation of inner turmoil. The exaggerated horn could be interpreted as a mark of difference, isolation, or an unwanted burden. The closed eye suggests introspection and withdrawal from the external world. Overall, the drawing conveys a sense of unease and psychological complexity through its deliberate distortion of form and expression.