Self-Portrait 1906

This self-portrait was made in 1906 by Pablo Picasso with oil on canvas. It's interesting to see Picasso at this stage, grappling with form in a way that feels like he’s trying to figure out what it means to look, and to be looked at. The grey background feels like a screen, pushing the figure forward. You can see the texture of the paint, especially in the white shirt. It’s not quite blended, which gives it a raw, immediate feel. Look at the way he's holding the palette, almost like a shield. The colors on it are small and contained, like he’s rationing them out, maybe because he wants to make sure he gets the tone just right. It reminds me a bit of Cezanne, who was also obsessed with the structure of things. But while Cezanne felt analytical, Picasso feels more emotional, more like he’s trying to capture a feeling rather than a likeness. Art is a conversation, and Picasso is just figuring out what he wants to say.