Dove (La colombe) 1949

This lithograph of a dove, by Pablo Picasso, is rendered in shades of black and white. Look at the sweeping gestures, the delicate gradations of tone. I wonder about the decisions Picasso was making as he made it. Did he work from memory, or from life? You can see how the varying levels of pressure applied by Picasso to the printing stone create a sense of depth, the dove emerging from the inky shadows of the background. The dove itself is built up from layers of marks, a flurry of gestures that coalesce into form. Notice, particularly, the heavy dark lines beneath the bird, a kind of nest-like form which anchors it in place. What does it mean to create an image of peace in a monochromatic palette? Picasso was, like many artists, in constant dialogue with other artists, both past and present. It’s as if artists are always talking to each other through their work, building on each other’s ideas and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Painting isn't about fixed meanings. It's a space for uncertainty, for the viewer to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the table.