1928 Le baiser Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents two figures rendered in a highly stylized and fragmented manner. The color palette is dominated by muted blues and grays, with touches of yellow that emerge from beneath the surface layers of paint, creating a sense of depth and underlying warmth. The application of pigment appears deliberate yet gestural; brushstrokes are visible, contributing to a textured quality across the canvas.
The figures appear to be engaged in an intimate act, though their features are abstracted to the point where conventional notions of beauty or realism are entirely abandoned. One figure’s face is tilted towards the other, with a pronounced, almost jagged mouth opening upwards – suggesting a kiss or a close embrace. The eyes are rendered as simple circles, devoid of pupils, lending an unsettling neutrality to the expression. The second figures features are less distinct, partially obscured by the overlapping planes and the overall monochromatic scheme.
The artist has employed geometric shapes – triangles, rectangles, and curves – to construct the forms, breaking them down into essential components and reassembling them in a non-naturalistic way. This deconstruction disrupts any sense of spatial depth or perspective; the figures seem to exist on a flattened plane. The background is similarly treated with broad strokes of color, lacking detail and serving primarily as a backdrop for the central figures.
Subtly, theres an element of tension present within the work. While the implied kiss suggests affection, the angularity of the forms and the lack of emotional expression in the eyes create a sense of unease or detachment. The limited color range reinforces this feeling, contributing to a somber atmosphere. It is possible that the artist intended to explore not just physical intimacy but also the complexities and potential anxieties inherent within such moments – the vulnerability and uncertainty that can accompany closeness. The abstraction serves to universalize the experience, moving beyond individual representation towards an exploration of human connection in its most fundamental form.