1960 Le dВjeuner sur lherbe (Manet) 5 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a scene of apparent leisure and social interaction, yet rendered with a deliberate disruption of conventional perspective and representation. Here we see three figures arranged within a landscape setting; one male figure in a purple robe stands somewhat apart, observing the others. He holds what appears to be a smoking device, his gaze directed towards the central grouping.
The focal point is occupied by two nude female figures and another male figure seated on a draped surface. The woman closest to the viewer reclines with an air of nonchalance, her body depicted in simplified forms and planes. Her pose suggests both vulnerability and self-possession. Beside her sits another woman, partially obscured, who appears to be engaged in conversation with the man. This man is characterized by sharp angles and a mask-like quality, his features reduced to essential lines.
The background reveals a landscape viewed through what seems like an archway or pergola structure. The perspective is flattened, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity. A distant view of fields and sky adds depth but reinforces the overall lack of traditional realism.
Several subtexts emerge from this arrangement. The juxtaposition of nudity with clothed figures introduces a commentary on societal norms and expectations regarding modesty and propriety. The male figure’s detached observation suggests a voyeuristic element, prompting questions about the gaze and power dynamics within the scene. The simplification of forms and the flattening of perspective challenge traditional notions of beauty and representation, hinting at an exploration of perception itself. The overall effect is one of unsettling familiarity; a recognizable social scenario presented through a lens that destabilizes its conventional meaning.