1928 Minotaure courant Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a figure in motion against a warm, earthy background. The artist has rendered the subject as a hybrid creature – part human, part bull – characterized by a pronounced snout and elongated head. The body is depicted in a dynamic pose, suggesting rapid movement; the legs are bent forward, conveying an impression of forceful propulsion.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by shades of brown, beige, and blue-green. These colors contribute to a sense of somberness and perhaps even confinement. The background’s uniform tone creates a stark contrast with the figure, emphasizing its isolation within the pictorial space.
A fragmented geometric shape – a rectangle divided into two planes – is positioned behind the creatures head, seemingly floating in the background. This element introduces an abstract quality to the work and disrupts any sense of realistic depth. It could be interpreted as a symbolic representation of a constructed reality or a psychological barrier.
The figure’s anatomy is simplified and stylized; details are reduced to essential lines and planes. The artist has eschewed naturalistic proportions, opting instead for a flattened perspective that emphasizes the creatures form rather than its volume. This stylistic choice contributes to an overall feeling of alienation and otherness.
The work seems to explore themes of duality and transformation. The hybrid nature of the figure suggests a conflict between instinctual drives and human intellect, or perhaps a commentary on the fragmented modern self. The act of running – the implied escape – might symbolize a desire for liberation from societal constraints or internal turmoil. The overall effect is one of unsettling ambiguity, inviting contemplation about the complexities of identity and the primal forces that shape human experience.