Portrait of Casagemas 1899

This is Pablo Picasso’s “Portrait of Casagemas,” painted with oils on canvas. The somber mood of this portrait really comes from Picasso’s handling of the materials. He’s chosen a dark palette, and applied the oil paints in thick, uneven layers. You can see the marks of the brushstrokes, building up the image almost sculpturally. The texture of the canvas itself is visible, adding to the overall sense of roughness and immediacy. Oil paint allowed Picasso to build up the image in layers, creating depth and luminosity. The choice of oil paint, a traditional art material, connects Picasso to a long lineage of artists, while his expressive use of the medium hints at his innovative approach. When we focus on the artist’s process, the traditional separation between craft and fine art begins to blur. This painting invites us to appreciate the skill and artistry involved in manipulating materials to create a powerful emotional effect.