Head of a man 1913

This is Head of a Man, made by Pablo Picasso with oil on canvas. Here, Picasso uses the cubist style he pioneered to portray a man. Visual codes like the hat, perhaps a beret, and the suggestion of a moustache, work to create a recognizable, if fragmented, image of a male figure. This artwork was made during a time of intense social and political change in Europe. New ideas about art and society were emerging as old certainties were challenged. Picasso's cubism was radical because it represented a major break with the traditions of Western art. The early twentieth century saw new institutions of art emerge. Dealers, galleries, and critics played an increasing role in shaping taste and promoting innovation. Picasso was one of the artists who challenged the idea of art as simply representation. He insisted that art should be free to explore new forms and ideas. To understand better the history of art like this, we draw on a variety of sources, like letters and exhibition reviews. Studying the social and institutional context in which artworks are made helps us to understand their meaning.