1965 TИte dhomme barbu 2 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a frontal portrait, rendered in a style characterized by fragmentation and distortion. The subjects face is deconstructed into planes and angles, with features shifted and reassembled in a manner that defies conventional representation. A prominent beard, delineated with thick black strokes, dominates the lower portion of the visage. Above it, the mouth appears as a vertical blue line, stark against the surrounding flesh tones.
The eyes are rendered with an unsettling intensity; one is larger than the other and both possess a pronounced, almost mournful quality. The nose is reduced to a series of angular planes, while the cheekbones are emphasized through contrasting shades of pink and grey. A complex interplay of lines and shapes defines the contours of the face, creating a sense of unease and psychological depth.
The artist employed a limited palette dominated by cool tones – blues, greens, greys, and whites – punctuated by touches of yellow and red. The brushwork is loose and expressive, contributing to the overall feeling of dynamism and emotional turbulence. A series of dark circles are positioned around the head, resembling either hair or some other form of ornamentation.
The background is similarly simplified, consisting of broad planes of color that recede into a hazy distance. This lack of spatial depth further isolates the figure, intensifying its presence within the frame. The overall effect suggests an exploration of identity and perception, hinting at a psychological portrait rather than a straightforward likeness. Theres a sense of melancholy and introspection conveyed through the subject’s expression and the artist’s deliberate distortion of form.