Harlequin with guitar 1918

This painting of a Harlequin with guitar, was made by Pablo Picasso in 1918. Imagine Picasso working on this in his studio. He begins with light strokes, building the composition slowly. See how he captures the Harlequin's costume? Each diamond alive with shades of green, yellow, and black. I can almost feel the texture of the canvas, lightly touched with paint, allowing the surface to breathe. Notice the lines that define the figure, wavering and uncertain, yet perfectly capturing the essence of the character. It’s like he's conjuring the spirit of performance, the feeling of being on stage, under the lights. Picasso is in conversation with tradition, reinterpreting a classic character through his unique lens. It reminds me that painting is more than just depiction, it’s a way of thinking, feeling, and communicating through the language of form and colour. Each brushstroke embodies a gesture, a thought, a moment in time.