1969 Buste dhomme Е la pipe et amour Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The drawing presents a complex and layered composition, executed in vibrant pastel hues against a lightly textured background. A central figure, seemingly a bust or portrait, dominates the left side of the frame. Its features are rendered with angular planes and distorted proportions characteristic of a Cubist influence; an eye marked by a prominent blue iris is particularly striking. The face is framed by what appears to be stylized hair or foliage, adding to its enigmatic quality. A small, bird-like form emerges from the lower portion of this figure’s head, colored in pink and yellow, suggesting a playful or symbolic element.
To the right of the central portrait, a smaller, winged figure is depicted in a dynamic pose. This individual appears to be aiming a spear or arrow directly towards the viewer, creating a sense of immediate confrontation. The body is rendered with a fleshy pink tone, while the face mirrors the distorted features seen in the primary portrait, albeit on a smaller scale. A horizontal bar or beam stretches across the composition, seemingly intersecting both figures and adding another layer to their interaction.
Below the central figure, a disembodied hand, colored in a bright pink, is visible, its gesture ambiguous – perhaps offering, grasping, or warding off. Further down, a grid-like structure appears, hinting at an underlying framework or constraint within which these figures exist. The date 18.2.69 is inscribed in the upper left corner, providing a temporal anchor for the work.
The subtexts embedded within this drawing are multifaceted. The juxtaposition of the portrait and the winged figure suggests a dialogue between intellect/representation and impulse/action. The spear aimed at the viewer introduces an element of threat or challenge, potentially questioning the act of observation itself. The bird-like form could symbolize freedom, creativity, or perhaps even folly. The disembodied hand adds to the sense of fragmentation and psychological complexity. Overall, the drawing conveys a feeling of tension, ambiguity, and a deliberate disruption of conventional representation, inviting multiple interpretations regarding power dynamics, artistic creation, and the human condition.