1971 Loiseau Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The drawing presents a bird in mid-flight, captured with a rapid and energetic sketch style. The artist employed loose lines and shading to suggest movement and volume rather than precise detail. The wings are prominently displayed, rendered as a flurry of individual feather strokes that convey a sense of dynamism and urgency. One wing is more fully developed, showing a detailed arrangement of feathers, while the other appears abbreviated, hinting at the bird’s trajectory through space.
The composition is asymmetrical; the bird occupies the central area but leans towards the right side of the frame. This imbalance contributes to the feeling of motion and instability. The head is small in relation to the body, suggesting a focus on the act of flying rather than the birds individual character.
A series of sweeping lines emanate from behind the bird, likely intended to represent air currents or the visual effect of speed. These lines are executed with similar spontaneity as the figure itself, reinforcing the impression of immediacy and capturing a fleeting moment.
In the upper left corner, there is handwritten text and a date – 21/11/71 – alongside what appears to be a signature. This inscription provides context for the work’s creation, anchoring it in a specific time and place while also suggesting a personal or informal nature of the drawing.
The overall effect is one of spontaneity and observation. The artist seems less interested in creating a realistic depiction of a bird than in conveying the essence of flight – its energy, freedom, and inherent instability. It’s possible to interpret this as a study for a larger work, a quick visual note taken from life, or simply an exercise in capturing movement through line.