Bearded man 1962

This linocut of a bearded man, was made by Pablo Picasso sometime in his life. Look at the way he's used these blocky shapes and colors. It makes you wonder, how did this image come into being? What was Picasso thinking? I can imagine Picasso, the master of reinvention, carving into that block, making decisive cuts, each one a commitment. The stark contrast between light and dark, ochres, reds, and greens; the texture of the cut linoleum, all feel like a stage set. See that single curl of hair—so delicate against the rough beard. It's almost as if he’s poking fun at the serious nature of portraiture. Maybe this guy is a philosopher, or maybe he’s just some dude Picasso saw at a bar. Picasso’s work reminds us that artists are constantly in conversation with each other, riffing off ideas, and pushing boundaries. The way he distorts and abstracts makes you question what you see, making space for imagination and possibility.