1967 Mousquetaire (TИte) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The work presents a portrait rendered in a fragmented and expressive style. Here we observe a figure seemingly dressed in historical attire – a broad-brimmed hat and elaborate collar suggest a connection to a bygone era, perhaps military or aristocratic. The face itself is not presented realistically; instead, it appears as a composite of features, with multiple planes and perspectives layered upon one another.
The artist employed a palette dominated by cool tones: whites, grays, blues, and touches of pink are applied in broad, visible brushstrokes that contribute to the overall sense of dynamism and instability. The application is vigorous; paint appears almost impastoed in places, adding texture and emphasizing the physicality of the medium.
The figure’s expression is ambiguous. While a slight smile is suggested by the upturned corners of the mouth, the eyes convey a sense of unease or perhaps even melancholy. This duality creates an unsettling tension within the portrait. The fragmented nature of the face further complicates interpretation; it suggests a breakdown of identity or a multiplicity of selves contained within a single form.
The background is similarly indistinct, composed of swirling brushstrokes that lack clear definition. This absence of spatial context reinforces the focus on the figure and intensifies the feeling of isolation. The overall effect is one of psychological complexity – a portrait not merely of an individual but also of a fractured state of mind or a questioning of historical narratives. There’s a sense of theatricality, as if we are witnessing a character from a play, frozen in a moment of internal conflict.