1936 Minotaure mourant * Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a fragmented narrative unfolding across a shallow pictorial space. A central figure dominates the foreground: a creature with distinctly human and bovine features lies prostrate, its body rendered in warm ochre tones contrasted against a muted grey-blue ground. The posture suggests defeat or agony; the head is turned downwards, obscuring expression while emphasizing vulnerability. A dark, amorphous mass obscures part of the figure’s upper torso, contributing to a sense of oppression and confinement.
To the right, a female figure atop a white horse appears in dynamic motion. She holds aloft what seems to be a spear or staff, her gaze directed towards the fallen creature. The horses rearing posture amplifies the impression of power and potential intervention. The woman’s form is stylized, with elongated limbs and simplified features characteristic of a particular artistic vocabulary.
On the left side of the painting, a female figure emerges from behind a rectangular structure resembling a flag or screen. This figure displays an ambiguous gesture – hands raised in what could be interpreted as supplication, offering, or perhaps even warning. The geometric shape she is positioned behind creates a barrier between her and the central action, suggesting a separation or detachment from the unfolding drama.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing earth tones (ochre, brown) juxtaposed with cool blues and greys. This limited range contributes to a somber and melancholic atmosphere. The use of flat planes and distorted perspective further emphasizes the dreamlike quality of the scene.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of mortality, suffering, and potential redemption. The fallen creature’s hybrid nature could be interpreted as representing a duality – perhaps the conflict between human reason and primal instinct, or civilization and barbarity. The female figure on horseback might symbolize an agent of justice or divine intervention, while the woman behind the screen embodies empathy or witness to tragedy. The overall impression is one of profound loss and the precariousness of existence, conveyed through a symbolic language that resists straightforward interpretation.