1964 TИte dhomme barbu Е la cigarette III Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

Here we observe a portrait study executed in pastel on paper. The subject is a man with a pronounced beard and mustache, depicted in profile but with a direct gaze towards the viewer. A cigarette is held between his fingers, brought close to his mouth; this action dominates the lower portion of the composition.
The artist employs a deliberately fragmented approach to representation. Facial features are rendered with simplified lines and planes, eschewing naturalistic proportions. The skin tone is not uniform; instead, patches of yellow, pink, and white create a sense of underlying tension and psychological complexity. A vertical band of green divides the face, further disrupting its perceived unity. The eyes, large and dark, convey an intensity that contrasts with the otherwise stylized rendering.
The man’s hair appears as a chaotic mass of scribbled lines, suggesting agitation or perhaps a deliberate rejection of conventional notions of order. The hand holding the cigarette is rendered in similarly bold strokes, emphasizing its prominence within the scene. A blue collar or neckline is indicated at the bottom, providing minimal contextual information but contributing to the overall sense of isolation.
The subtexts embedded within this work are multifaceted. The presence of the cigarette introduces themes of introspection, perhaps even self-destruction. It can be interpreted as a symbol of anxiety or a coping mechanism for an unseen burden. The fragmented nature of the portrait suggests a fractured identity, hinting at internal conflict or a sense of alienation. The direct gaze establishes a confrontational relationship with the viewer, inviting scrutiny and prompting questions about the subject’s inner state.
The overall effect is one of psychological depth conveyed through deliberate distortion and expressive mark-making. Its not merely a likeness but an exploration of character and emotional complexity.