1914 Homme au gibus Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a figure rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. Here we observe a man, seemingly dressed formally with a high-collared coat and a top hat, though his form is deconstructed into geometric planes and angular shapes. The artist has employed a limited palette of colors – primarily blues, greens, yellows, reds, and browns – applied in broad washes and punctuated by areas of fine hatching that create texture and visual vibration.
The figure’s posture suggests a degree of rigidity or stoicism; he appears upright, though his limbs are disjointed and rearranged. The face is reduced to essential features, hinting at an expression but denying any easy reading of emotion. A sense of confinement is established by the surrounding planes which seem to press in on the subject, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere.
The background is indistinct, rendered as a series of overlapping shapes that further contribute to the overall feeling of disorientation and instability. The lines are hesitant and sketchy, suggesting an unfinished quality or perhaps a deliberate rejection of traditional perspective and representation.
Subtly, there’s a sense of societal critique embedded within this depiction. The formal attire, combined with the fragmented presentation, might imply a questioning of established order and conventional appearances. The deconstruction of the human form could be interpreted as an allegory for the disintegration of values or the psychological impact of trauma. The overall effect is one of alienation and uncertainty, hinting at a world undergoing profound change and upheaval.