1928 Metamorphose I (Personnage fВminin) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The sculpture presents a composite figure, seemingly born from a fusion of human and animal forms. The overall impression is one of distorted anatomy and unsettling hybridity. A central, vaguely humanoid form dominates the composition; its posture suggests a tentative forward movement, supported by a single, disproportionately large foot. This figure’s torso is rounded and bulbous, with what appear to be rudimentary breasts indicated by swelling protrusions.
Extending from this core body is an elongated neck that culminates in the head of an equine creature. The horses head is rendered with minimal detail, its features simplified to a degree that borders on abstraction. A dark band or strap appears to encircle the figure’s upper torso, adding another layer of complexity and potentially suggesting restraint or confinement.
The color palette is restricted to earthy tones – primarily browns and ochres – which contribute to a sense of antiquity and weightiness. The surface texture seems rough and uneven, indicative of a hand-built process perhaps involving clay or similar malleable material. This roughness further enhances the impression of raw, primal energy.
Subtextually, the work explores themes of transformation and the blurring of boundaries between species. The combination of human and animal elements hints at an investigation into identity, potentially questioning what it means to be human. The figure’s awkward posture and distorted proportions suggest a state of flux or incompleteness – a being in the process of becoming something else. The dark strap could symbolize societal constraints or internal struggles that impede this metamorphosis. Overall, the sculpture evokes a feeling of unease and invites contemplation on the nature of existence and the fluidity of form.