1937 Poisson dAvril (Dessin rebus no 8) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The drawing presents a bizarre hybrid creature, seemingly a bird or fowl, rendered in a stark black and white palette with a rough, almost frantic application of lines. The artist has constructed this being from disparate elements, creating a disconcerting effect. Its head is disproportionately small relative to its body, possessing an elongated beak that curves sharply upwards, suggesting both fragility and aggression. A single, large eye dominates the face, conveying a sense of unsettling observation or perhaps vulnerability.
The body itself is bulbous and distorted, covered in dense, chaotic hatching that obscures any clear form. Emerging from the back of this mass are numerous small figures, arranged in a tightly packed group atop the creature’s plumage. These diminutive humanoids appear to be uniformly dressed and lack individual characteristics, suggesting they represent a collective or perhaps a subjugated population.
The legs are spindly and awkwardly positioned, contributing to the overall impression of instability and precariousness. The background is filled with a dense network of scribbled lines, which further amplify the sense of unease and confinement. This textural treatment obscures any spatial depth, flattening the composition and intensifying the focus on the central figure.
Subtextually, the drawing appears to explore themes of oppression and societal burden. The bird-like form could be interpreted as a symbol of authority or power, while the figures perched upon it represent those who are exploited or controlled. The chaotic lines throughout the work might symbolize social unrest or internal turmoil. The creature’s distorted anatomy and unsettling gaze suggest a sense of psychological distress or alienation. The overall effect is one of dark humor mixed with profound anxiety, hinting at a critique of power structures and the human condition within them.