1923 Deux baigneuses et joueur de flЦte de Pan Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The drawing presents a scene of leisure and pastoral idyll, rendered in a stark, graphic style. Here we see two female figures reclining within what appears to be a wicker chair or chaise lounge, alongside a third figure playing a pan flute. The composition is dominated by strong contrasts between light and shadow, achieved through the use of dense hatching and broad areas of black ink on a pale background.
The arrangement of the figures suggests a relaxed intimacy. One woman leans forward, her gaze directed outwards, while the other reclines languidly, her arm casually draped across her body. The musician, positioned at the lower right, is depicted in profile, his posture suggesting focused concentration as he plays. A small animal, possibly a goat or lamb, sits near him, adding to the pastoral atmosphere.
The background is characterized by a repetitive pattern of lines, creating an ambiguous space that could be interpreted as foliage, architecture, or simply abstract texture. This lack of specificity contributes to the dreamlike quality of the scene. The figures themselves are stylized and somewhat fragmented, with simplified forms and exaggerated features. Their bodies are not rendered realistically but rather as collections of planes and angles, characteristic of a modernist approach to representation.
Subtly, theres an undercurrent of melancholy or detachment present. The figures’ expressions are difficult to read; they lack overt emotion. This, combined with the flattened perspective and graphic style, creates a sense of distance between the viewer and the depicted scene. It is not merely a depiction of pleasure but also a contemplation on its fleeting nature and the inherent artificiality of idealized representations. The presence of the animal introduces an element of naturalness that contrasts with the constructed setting and stylized figures, perhaps hinting at a yearning for authenticity or escape from societal constraints.