1938 Bougie, palette, tИte de taureau rouge Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a fragmented still life arranged against a pale blue backdrop. A prominent bulls head dominates the right side of the canvas, rendered in shades of red and ochre with stark, almost cartoonish eyes that fix the viewer with an unsettling gaze. The animal’s form is simplified, its features flattened and abstracted, suggesting a symbolic rather than realistic representation.
To the left, a collection of objects are arranged on a draped surface composed of geometric planes – pink, blue, and white – creating a sense of spatial distortion. A lit candle sits atop an ornate candlestick, positioned beneath a triangular green form that acts as a visual canopy. Adjacent to this is a cluster of dark brown shapes pierced by numerous thin, yellow rods; these forms are placed on a sheet of what appears to be musical notation, adding another layer of complexity and potential meaning. A small, black geometric structure with a single upright element completes the arrangement.
The painting’s subtexts appear rooted in themes of power, spectacle, and perhaps even impending threat. The bull, a recurring motif associated with Spanish culture and often symbolizing aggression or untamed force, is positioned as an imposing presence. Its direct stare suggests confrontation or observation. The inclusion of musical notation hints at ritualistic elements or the potential for performance – a staged event where the bull might be central.
The fragmented nature of the objects and their arrangement contributes to a sense of unease and disorientation. The geometric planes disrupt any illusion of depth, flattening the space and creating a dreamlike quality. The candle’s light, while providing illumination, also casts shadows that further obscure and complicate the scene. Overall, the work conveys an atmosphere of tension and latent drama, suggesting a moment poised between observation and action.