1967 TИte dhomme 1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The drawing presents a fragmented portrait, executed in a delicate brown line against a pale background. The subject appears to be a male figure, though his features are rendered with considerable distortion and abstraction. A prominent brow ridge dominates the forehead, leading down to eyes that possess an unsettling intensity; one eye is depicted with a pupil, while the other remains largely undefined, contributing to a sense of asymmetry and psychological complexity. The nose is stylized into a sharp, angular form, and the mouth is drawn as a thin, almost grim line.
The artist has surrounded the face with a swirling pattern of curvilinear forms that resemble organic growth or perhaps abstract foliage. These elements do not define a background in a traditional sense; instead, they seem to emanate from the figure itself, blurring the boundaries between subject and environment. The lines are fluid and continuous, suggesting an improvisational approach to creation.
The overall effect is one of unsettling ambiguity. While recognizable as a human face, its exaggerated features and the chaotic surrounding forms evoke feelings of anxiety or disorientation. The lack of shading or tonal variation further emphasizes the drawing’s reliance on line alone to convey form and emotion. One might interpret this work as an exploration of psychological states – perhaps depicting inner turmoil or a fractured sense of self. The swirling patterns could represent intrusive thoughts, repressed emotions, or a feeling of being overwhelmed by external forces.
The signature in the lower right corner, rendered in a similar linear style, reinforces the drawing’s overall aesthetic unity and suggests that the artists hand is integral to the works meaning. It is not merely a representation but an expression of a particular sensibility.