1938 Marin Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a portrait rendered in a fragmented and stylized manner. Here we observe a figure, presumably male, depicted from the chest upwards, positioned against a dark background that emphasizes the subjects form. The individual is adorned with a straw hat, its texture suggested through angular brushstrokes and varying shades of beige and brown.
The face itself is constructed from geometric planes; the eyes are large and almond-shaped, set within a blue area that defines the brow ridge. A prominent nose, rendered in a pale pink hue, juts forward, while the mouth appears as a green trapezoid. The cheeks are delineated with red tones, creating a sense of volume despite the flattened perspective.
The figure’s attire consists of what seems to be a striped shirt or jacket, executed with broad horizontal bands of black, white, and orange. Arms are crossed over the chest, suggesting a posture of contemplation or perhaps guardedness. A small, red detail is visible near the ear, possibly indicating an earring or other adornment.
The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – browns, oranges, reds – interspersed with cooler blues and greens. This combination creates visual tension and contributes to the overall sense of unease or complexity. The artist’s use of simplified shapes and distorted proportions evokes a feeling of displacement and psychological introspection.
Subtly, there is an impression of melancholy conveyed through the figures gaze and posture. The fragmented nature of the portrait suggests a fractured identity or a disrupted perception of self. It could be interpreted as a commentary on the anxieties of a specific historical moment – a sense of alienation and uncertainty that permeates modern existence. The deliberate deconstruction of traditional portraiture conventions implies a questioning of established norms and values.