1964 TИte dhomme barbu Е la cigarette 1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The drawing presents a portrait study, executed in a style characterized by fragmented forms and expressive lines. Here we see a male figure depicted in profile, his face rendered with a deliberate distortion that prioritizes emotional impact over realistic representation. A prominent beard dominates the lower portion of the face, meticulously detailed with dense, scratchy strokes that suggest texture and volume. Above the beard, the facial features are simplified to essential elements: an elongated nose, a single, large eye, and a mouth reduced to a thin line.
The color palette is bold and unconventional. Yellows and reds punctuate the face, creating areas of intense visual focus while contrasting with the cooler blues and greens used for the hat and background. The hat itself sits askew on the head, adding to the sense of unease or disorientation conveyed by the figure. A cigarette is held between his lips, a detail that introduces an element of introspection or perhaps melancholy.
The background is composed of a network of parallel lines, rendered in blue, which creates a visual rhythm and provides a contrasting backdrop for the central figure. These lines are not uniform; their varying thickness and density contribute to the overall sense of dynamism within the composition.
Beyond the immediate depiction of a man with a cigarette, the drawing seems to explore themes of identity and alienation. The fragmented nature of the face suggests a fractured or incomplete selfhood. The intense gaze, combined with the solitary posture implied by the profile view, evokes a feeling of isolation. The expressive use of color and line amplifies this sense of emotional complexity, hinting at an internal struggle or psychological state that remains largely unarticulated. It is not merely a portrait; its a visual exploration of human condition through distortion and symbolic detail.