1969 TИte dhomme 3 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a close-up portrait of a male figure, rendered in a style characterized by distortion and expressive brushwork. The face is fragmented into planes, with features rearranged and exaggerated beyond naturalistic representation. A palpable sense of unease emanates from the subject’s expression.
Here we see an intense gaze directed outward; the eyes are large and somewhat disproportionate to the rest of the facial structure, contributing to a feeling of vulnerability or perhaps even paranoia. The eyebrows are sharply angled, further emphasizing the emotional intensity. The mouth is rendered as a dark, jagged opening, suggesting either a grimace or a silent scream.
The color palette is dominated by muted earth tones – grays, browns, and ochres – punctuated by flashes of pink and blue that highlight certain planes of the face. These colors are applied with thick impasto, creating a textured surface that adds to the overall feeling of agitation. The background is largely indistinct, allowing the focus to remain entirely on the figure’s tormented countenance.
The artists deliberate departure from conventional portraiture suggests an exploration of psychological states rather than a straightforward depiction of physical appearance. The fragmented form and distorted features could be interpreted as symbolic representations of inner turmoil, anxiety, or alienation. It is possible that the work aims to convey a sense of existential dread or the fragility of human identity in the face of overwhelming forces.
The overall effect is one of unsettling intensity; the figure’s expression seems frozen in a moment of profound emotional distress, inviting contemplation on themes of suffering and psychological fragmentation.