1899 Le baiser Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The drawing presents a moment of intimate embrace between two figures. They are positioned close together, their faces nearly touching in what appears to be a kiss. The artist has rendered them with loose, expressive lines, prioritizing the feeling and immediacy of the gesture over precise anatomical detail. Both individuals wear hats, obscuring much of their hair and contributing to an air of anonymity; they become archetypes rather than specific portraits.
The composition is dominated by verticality. The figures’ bodies are elongated, emphasizing a sense of upward movement and closeness. Their forms merge somewhat, blurring the boundaries between them and suggesting a profound connection. The artist has used hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variation, giving depth and volume to the clothing and hinting at the play of light across their surfaces.
The background is indistinct, rendered with broad strokes that suggest foliage or perhaps an abstracted landscape. This lack of specificity directs attention entirely toward the central figures and their interaction. The muted palette reinforces a sense of quiet intimacy and emotional restraint.
Subtleties within the drawing hint at complexities beyond the surface depiction. The slight tilt of one figure’s head, the angle of the others arm around their shoulders – these details suggest a dynamic exchange, an ongoing negotiation of closeness and vulnerability. There is a certain melancholy conveyed through the subdued tones and the somewhat hesitant quality of the lines; it isnt merely a celebration of affection but also perhaps a contemplation on its fragility or transience. The drawing seems to explore themes of desire, connection, and the ephemeral nature of human relationships, all within a framework of understated elegance.