Pike (Pique) 1959

This is *Pike*, made by Pablo Picasso in 1959, using linocut on paper. Picasso was engaging here with an established printmaking tradition. Linocut is a relief printing technique, similar to woodcut, but using linoleum. The artist carves an image into the linoleum surface, then inks it and presses it onto paper. The areas that are cut away remain white, while the raised areas print in color. Linocut allowed Picasso to achieve bold, graphic effects with broad lines. This method enabled the creation of multiple impressions, making the artwork more accessible to a wider audience. It's interesting to think about how the labor involved in creating this print – the physical act of carving, inking, and printing – connects to broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. So, in considering *Pike*, remember that the materials, the making, and the context are all part of the story. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft.