1936 Minotaure et jument morte devant une grotte face Е une fille au voile Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a surreal and unsettling scene dominated by a hybrid figure – a man with the head of a bull – engaged in a complex interaction with other elements within a cavernous setting. The artist has arranged these figures against a backdrop that suggests both enclosure and vastness, contributing to an atmosphere of psychological tension.
To the left, a dark opening, presumably a cave entrance, is partially obscured by shadow. A disembodied hand emerges from this darkness, its gesture ambiguous – reaching out or recoiling in fear. This element immediately introduces a sense of mystery and potential threat, hinting at hidden depths and unknown forces.
The central figure, the bull-headed man, occupies a significant portion of the canvas. He appears to be leaning heavily on what seems to be the carcass of an equine creature – a horse or donkey – its form rendered with stark simplicity and conveying a sense of lifelessness. The posture of the hybrid figure is one of burden and perhaps exhaustion; he leans upon the dead animal as if for support, suggesting a relationship that is both dependent and exploitative. His arm is raised in what could be interpreted as either a gesture of dominance or an attempt at warding off something unseen.
To the right of this central grouping sits a veiled female figure. She appears passive and detached from the drama unfolding before her. A wreath adorns her head, suggesting innocence or perhaps a symbolic representation of purity. Her gaze is directed away from the bull-man and the dead animal, further emphasizing her emotional distance from the scenes immediate conflict.
The color palette reinforces the painting’s somber mood. Muted tones of gray, blue, and brown dominate, creating an overall sense of melancholy and desolation. The limited use of brighter colors – the pale flesh tones of the figures and a hint of green in the background – only serves to highlight the pervasive gloom.
Subtextually, this work seems to explore themes of primal instinct, mortality, and the complex relationship between humanity and animality. The presence of the Minotaur figure, a creature embodying both human intellect and bestial nature, suggests an exploration of duality and inner conflict. The dead animal could symbolize lost vitality or the consequences of unchecked power. The veiled woman might represent innocence threatened by these forces, or perhaps a symbol of hope existing alongside despair. The cave itself functions as a metaphor for the unconscious mind – a place of hidden fears and repressed desires. Ultimately, the painting resists easy interpretation, inviting viewers to contemplate the darker aspects of human existence and the enduring power of mythic imagery.