1922 Nature morte Е la guitare1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

Here we see a drawing executed on cardboard, characterized by its deliberate simplicity and fragmented composition. The artist employs a limited palette – primarily browns, blues, pinks, and whites – which contributes to a sense of immediacy and rawness. The background is a uniform brown, providing a stark contrast to the forms layered upon it.
The central element appears to be an abstracted representation of a head or face. It’s not rendered realistically; instead, its constructed from simplified shapes: curves, lines, and planes. These elements are arranged in a seemingly chaotic manner, yet they coalesce into a recognizable form through their relative positioning. The use of pink suggests vulnerability or perhaps introspection, while the white areas create highlights that define the contours of this central figure.
Surrounding the head is an arrangement of geometric shapes – triangles and curves – rendered in blue. These forms seem to both contain and disrupt the central image, creating a dynamic tension within the composition. The lines are loose and expressive, suggesting a spontaneous gesture rather than meticulous planning.
The artist’s signature appears in the lower right corner, accompanied by the date 10, likely indicating the year. This detail reinforces the impression of a sketch or study – a preliminary exploration of ideas rather than a finished work. The rough texture of the cardboard itself is visible throughout, adding to the overall sense of informality and immediacy.
The drawing’s fragmented nature and lack of conventional perspective suggest an interest in deconstructing traditional representations of form. It evokes a feeling of introspection and perhaps even disorientation, inviting the viewer to actively engage with the work and piece together its meaning. The absence of a clear narrative or symbolic framework allows for multiple interpretations, making it open-ended and suggestive.