1938 Homme au chapeau de paille et au cornet de glace 1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a frontal portrait of a figure rendered in a highly stylized and fragmented manner. The subject is dominated by a striking blue hue, which saturates much of the face and upper torso, creating a sense of coolness and detachment. A straw hat, depicted with swirling, almost chaotic brushstrokes in shades of yellow and green, crowns the head, partially obscuring the forehead and adding to the overall feeling of disorientation.
The facial features are distorted and rearranged; eyes appear as stacked ovals, one bearing a distinct star-like mark within its iris. The nose is reduced to a triangular form, while the mouth is an open cavity filled with jagged lines in green and red, suggesting both speech and perhaps a primal expression. A cone of ice cream is held in the figure’s hand, positioned near the lower left corner of the composition. This seemingly mundane object introduces a layer of incongruity against the backdrop of the otherwise severe and unsettling portrayal.
The background is entirely black, intensifying the focus on the central figure and contributing to an atmosphere of isolation. The brushwork throughout the painting is loose and expressive, with visible strokes that emphasize the artist’s hand in creation. Lines are angular and sharp, further enhancing the sense of fragmentation and disruption.
Subtly, a feeling of melancholy pervades the work. While the ice cream might suggest fleeting pleasure or indulgence, it does not alleviate the overall impression of unease. The figures gaze is directed outward, yet seems to lack connection or engagement with the viewer. The distorted features and unsettling color palette hint at an underlying psychological complexity, suggesting a portrait that transcends mere representation and delves into themes of alienation and existential questioning. The work’s aesthetic choices seem intended not to depict reality but rather to convey a subjective emotional state – a sense of displacement and perhaps even anxiety.