1970 Profils Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The drawing presents a complex layering of faces, overlapping and intersecting within a tightly framed composition. Here we observe three distinct profiles stacked vertically, each rendered in a stark contrast of black and white with dense hatching that defines form and texture. The uppermost profile is characterized by an elongated nose and a single, large eye positioned slightly off-center. Below it lies another face, its features more subtly defined, partially obscured by the figure above. A third profile emerges from beneath both, exhibiting a prominent spiral in what would be the hair or neck area.
The artist has employed a technique that deliberately obscures individual identity; the faces are not presented as portraits but rather as fragmented expressions of human presence. The overlapping nature suggests a sense of interconnectedness and perhaps even confinement – the figures seem to exist within a shared space, unable to fully separate from one another. This layering could be interpreted as an exploration of psychological states, hinting at suppressed emotions or the complexities of interpersonal relationships.
The dense hatching throughout contributes to a feeling of unease and intensity. It creates a visual weight that reinforces the sense of compression and confinement. The absence of background further concentrates attention on the figures themselves, amplifying their emotional impact. The date 1970 inscribed in the lower left corner provides a temporal anchor, suggesting a work created during a period marked by social and political upheaval, which may have influenced the artists exploration of identity and human interaction.
The drawing’s subtexts revolve around themes of anonymity, psychological depth, and the challenges of individual expression within a collective context. It is not merely an arrangement of faces but a visual meditation on the nature of perception and the elusive quality of selfhood.