1960 Faune Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a stylized figure rendered in a flattened perspective and simplified forms. Here we observe a creature – likely intended as a faun or satyr – constructed from geometric planes of color. The head is dominated by a large, angular shape painted in shades of blue-green and purple, with a single eye prominently positioned on the right side. A second eye, smaller and less defined, appears on the left. Facial features are reduced to essential markings: a thin line for the mouth and a subtle indication of the nose.
The body is depicted as a slender torso emerging from a roughly sketched neck, delineated with dark lines that emphasize its linearity. The limbs appear rudimentary, suggesting an intentional lack of anatomical detail. Below the figure sits what appears to be a stylized representation of a tree or foliage, rendered in muted greens and blues against a pale background.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing cool tones – blues, greens, purples – with touches of beige and brown providing contrast. The application of paint seems deliberate, with visible brushstrokes contributing to the overall texture. A sense of ambiguity pervades the work; the creature’s expression is neutral, bordering on melancholic, while its fragmented form evokes a feeling of displacement or deconstruction.
Subtextually, the painting might be interpreted as an exploration of identity and fragmentation. The disjointed construction of the figure suggests a questioning of established forms and conventions. The muted colors and somber atmosphere contribute to a mood of introspection and perhaps even alienation. The presence of the stylized tree could symbolize nature or a connection to primal origins, yet its own simplified form mirrors the creature’s lack of wholeness. Overall, the work conveys a sense of quiet contemplation on themes of being and representation.