1954 Le roi Е cheval et modКle I Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a curious juxtaposition of figures within a stylized interior space. A seated figure, seemingly a monarch, dominates the right side of the canvas, mounted on a horse. The rider is adorned in elaborate regalia – a crown and richly patterned garments – suggesting power and authority. The horse itself is rendered with simplified forms and bold outlines, its posture conveying a sense of restrained energy rather than dynamic movement.
To the left, a female figure sits upon a raised platform or pedestal. Her pose is contemplative, her gaze directed towards the mounted figure. She appears unclothed, yet theres an absence of overt sensuality; instead, she embodies a certain stoicism and detachment. A large, pointed shape hovers above her head, resembling a stylized hat or perhaps a symbolic representation of thought or inspiration.
The background is characterized by a dense pattern of vertical lines in varying colors – red, green, yellow, and blue – creating a sense of enclosure and visual complexity. A single chair sits near the female figure, adding to the feeling of an interior setting. The floor appears to be delineated with broad strokes of pink and white, further emphasizing the flatness of the pictorial space.
The subtexts within this work are layered and open to interpretation. The pairing of a regal figure on horseback with a solitary woman suggests a power dynamic – perhaps a commentary on royalty, observation, or even subjugation. The female figures pose implies a critical assessment of the authority represented by the monarch. Her isolation, coupled with the symbolic shape above her head, could indicate introspection or artistic creation.
The overall effect is one of theatricality and stylized narrative. The simplified forms, bold colors, and flattened perspective contribute to an atmosphere that is both whimsical and unsettling. It’s a scene less about literal representation than about conveying a mood – a sense of quiet contemplation within a world governed by symbolic power structures.