1938 Homme au cornet de glace 1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The drawing presents a portrait study executed in monochrome, primarily utilizing shades of gray and blue on a cream-colored background. Here we see a male figure depicted in profile, though his features are radically fragmented and reassembled according to principles that deviate significantly from naturalistic representation. The face is characterized by an exaggerated nose, large, almond-shaped eyes with heavy lids, and a wide, slightly unsettling smile. These elements are rendered with bold lines and planes of color, creating a sense of angularity and distortion.
The subject wears what appears to be a broad-brimmed hat, its form similarly simplified and stylized. The hat’s shadow falls across the face, adding depth and emphasizing the contours of his features. A lock of hair is visible at the lower right side of the head, contrasting with the smooth planes of the face.
The figures hand is prominently displayed in the foreground, positioned near his mouth as if holding something – perhaps a small object or treat. The fingers are elongated and somewhat clumsy in their depiction, contributing to the overall sense of deliberate awkwardness. The artist’s use of loose sketching lines around the figure suggests an unfinished quality, hinting at a process of exploration rather than a finalized composition.
Subtly, theres a feeling of melancholy or introspection conveyed through the subject’s expression and posture. While the smile is present, it doesnt necessarily convey joy; instead, it might be interpreted as a mask concealing deeper emotions. The fragmented nature of the face could symbolize a sense of alienation or psychological complexity. The gesture with the hand, while seemingly innocuous, introduces an element of ambiguity – is he savoring something pleasurable, or merely going through the motions?
The limited color palette reinforces this mood, creating a somber and introspective atmosphere. The drawing’s overall effect is one of unsettling familiarity; its recognizable as a human portrait, yet profoundly altered by the artist’s unique vision.