1949 Claude Е deux ans avec son cheval Е roulettes 1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a figure seated before a toy horse on wheels. The background is divided into distinct planes of color – a vibrant red on the left, transitioning to blue on the right, with a horizontal band of green at the base. Above this backdrop, a shelf holds a bowl and a square object, adding depth to the scene.
The central figure exhibits characteristics that suggest a stylized representation of a child. The face is simplified, with large eyes and a small mouth, conveying an expression of quiet contemplation or perhaps melancholy. A cascade of dark hair frames the face, partially obscuring the shoulders which are clad in a checkered pattern. The posture is somewhat stiff, the arms held close to the body, contributing to a sense of restraint.
The toy horse dominates the lower portion of the canvas. Its form is elongated and simplified, with a single, prominent ear and a long neck that reaches towards the figure. A hand, presumably belonging to the child, grasps the horse’s head, establishing a connection between the individual and the object of play. The wheels are rendered as slender, almost skeletal legs, adding an unsettling quality to the otherwise playful subject matter.
The color palette is striking. The juxtaposition of red and blue creates visual tension, while the green band at the bottom grounds the composition. The limited use of other colors – primarily browns and whites for the figure and horse – emphasizes the starkness of the scene.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of childhood, isolation, and perhaps a sense of loss or displacement. The stylized representation of the child suggests an emotional distance, while the toy horse, despite its intended purpose as a source of joy, appears somewhat forlorn. The simplified forms and flattened perspective contribute to a dreamlike quality, suggesting that this is not merely a depiction of a moment in time but rather an exploration of deeper psychological states. The presence of the shelf with the bowl and square object hints at domesticity, yet it also creates a sense of detachment, as if the figure exists within a constructed environment. Overall, the painting evokes a feeling of quiet introspection and understated emotional complexity.