Tête d’homme 1972

‘Tête d’homme’ was painted by Pablo Picasso using traditional materials and processes of oil paint on canvas. But look closely, it is not only the style of the painting that is unconventional; Picasso’s material handling also sets the work apart. The paint has been applied in uneven layers, with visible brushstrokes. The inherent qualities of oil paint such as its viscosity, texture, and drying time influence the final appearance of the painting. The brushwork gives a gestural quality, that almost gives the painting an unfinished appearance. This is not a highly polished painting where the artist tried to erase every sign of their hand. Instead, the material and the way it has been applied becomes part of the content. Picasso was not interested in traditional, polished painting and his work helped pave the way for a new appreciation of materiality and the artist’s process. This helped to challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.