1968 Fleurs et buste dhomme au parapluie Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a dense layering of forms and colors, defying straightforward interpretation. A vibrant cluster of flowers dominates the left side of the canvas, their stems and blossoms rendered with energetic brushstrokes in shades of yellow, green, and blue. These blooms appear to emerge from an ambiguous vessel or structure, its contours suggested rather than clearly defined, contributing to a sense of visual instability.
To the right of this floral grouping, a fragmented bust of a man is discernible. The face is simplified, almost mask-like, with a single prominent eye staring out from the composition. A parasol, depicted as a series of angular lines extending upwards and outwards, partially obscures the figure’s head, creating a barrier between the viewer and the implied subject.
The color palette is dominated by blues and greens, punctuated by bursts of yellow and red. The application of paint is loose and expressive; brushstrokes are visible throughout, adding to the overall sense of dynamism. A section on the far right features vertical bands of red and white, marked with stylized symbols that resemble a coded language or decorative pattern.
The work seems preoccupied with themes of fragmentation and distortion. The human figure is reduced to essential elements, while the natural world – represented by the flowers – is rendered in an equally abstracted manner. This dismantling of recognizable forms suggests a questioning of conventional representation and perhaps alludes to anxieties surrounding identity and perception during a period of significant social upheaval.
The parasol acts as a symbolic shield or filter, suggesting a desire for protection from external forces or a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth. The coded symbols on the right edge introduce an element of mystery, hinting at hidden meanings or alternative systems of understanding. Overall, the painting conveys a feeling of disorientation and unease, characteristic of artistic responses to periods of profound change and uncertainty.