1964 TИte dhomme de profil Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a frontal portrait in profile, executed with a deliberate disregard for conventional representational accuracy. The subjects face is rendered in a flattened perspective, emphasizing angularity and distortion over realistic proportions. A stark contrast between black and white dominates the palette, punctuated by patches of blue, yellow, and pink that disrupt the monochrome scheme.
Here we see the figure’s hair cropped short and dark, sharply delineated against the background. The eyes are large and prominent, possessing an unsettling intensity due to their disproportionate size and simplified rendering. A single, thick black line defines the nose, which juts forward with a somewhat aggressive quality. The mouth is reduced to a thin, downward curve suggesting melancholy or perhaps suppressed emotion.
The artist employed a loose, expressive brushstroke throughout, creating a sense of immediacy and raw energy. The background appears as an indistinct wash of blue-grey tones, contributing to the overall feeling of confinement and psychological intensity. The application of paint is not smooth; visible strokes add texture and reinforce the impression of spontaneity.
Subtly, theres a layering effect in the face itself. It’s possible to discern faint outlines beneath the bolder features, hinting at an underlying complexity or perhaps multiple identities subsumed within this single representation. The pink patch on the cheek could be interpreted as a mark of vulnerability or even suffering, contrasting with the otherwise severe and stylized depiction.
The work evokes a sense of alienation and introspection. It’s not merely a portrait; its a psychological study that explores themes of identity, isolation, and perhaps the fragility of the human psyche. The deliberate distortion and simplification suggest an attempt to strip away superficiality and reveal something more essential about the subject – or, indeed, about humanity itself.