1967 Mousquetaire- buste 2 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The artwork presents a fragmented portrait, executed in a style that deconstructs traditional representation. Here we observe a male figure depicted from the chest upwards, against a stark black background which isolates and intensifies the subjects presence. The face is not rendered realistically; instead, it’s composed of geometric planes and overlapping forms, creating a sense of fractured identity.
The color palette is predominantly cool – various shades of blue, grey, and green dominate, contributing to an atmosphere of detachment or melancholy. A limited use of warmer tones – a reddish-brown on the collar and hints of flesh tone within the face – provides subtle contrast but does not disrupt the overall somber mood. The artist employed a visible brushstroke, adding texture and emphasizing the materiality of the paint itself.
The figure’s gaze is direct, yet ambiguous; it seems to penetrate the viewer while simultaneously conveying an emotional distance. The mustache and beard are rendered with thick, dark strokes, lending them a certain weight and prominence. Above the head, a series of angular lines suggest hair or perhaps a stylized headdress, further contributing to the figure’s enigmatic character.
Below the bust, a red collar is visible, its shape distorted by the perspective and brushwork. A portion of what appears to be a supporting structure – a vertical line in brown – is also present at the bottom edge, hinting at the portraits possible origin as part of a larger composition or installation.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of identity, perception, and the limitations of representation. The fragmentation suggests a breakdown of traditional notions of selfhood, while the cool color scheme and detached gaze evoke feelings of alienation or introspection. It is not merely a likeness but an exploration of how we construct and perceive identity through visual means.