1958 TИte cornue II Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The artwork presents a frontal portrait characterized by stark simplification and distortion. Here we observe a figure with prominent, curved horns dominating the upper portion of the composition. The face is rendered in a flattened perspective, with features reduced to essential lines and shapes. A single eye is visible on one side, while the other remains absent, contributing to an unsettling asymmetry. The mouth is depicted as a narrow slit, suggesting a muted or suppressed expression.
The artist employed a limited palette, primarily consisting of washes of yellow ochre and grey tones layered over what appears to be a cream-colored ground. These subtle color variations create a sense of depth and texture despite the overall flatness of the image. The lines defining the figure are bold and decisive, yet possess a fluidity that softens their rigidity.
The subtexts within this work seem to revolve around themes of power, vulnerability, and perhaps even alienation. The horns, traditionally symbols of strength and dominance, are juxtaposed with the simplified, almost childlike rendering of the face. This contrast generates an ambiguity; is the figure imposing or pitiable? The missing eye introduces a sense of incompleteness and isolation, suggesting a gaze that cannot fully engage with the world.
The overall effect is one of unsettling familiarity. While the subject matter evokes primal imagery – the horns immediately suggest bovine forms – the stylized representation prevents easy categorization. It’s as if we are presented with an archetype stripped bare, reduced to its most essential components, leaving room for individual interpretation and emotional response. The muted color scheme reinforces this sense of quiet contemplation, inviting a prolonged engagement with the works underlying psychological complexities.