Bearded man 1962

This image shows a linocut of a bearded man, made by Pablo Picasso at an unknown date. There’s an interesting tension in this print, because it looks both immediate and carefully planned. The lines are bold, direct, and carved with confidence. The colour palette is restrained; earthy tones that echo the linoleum itself, yet look closer and you’ll notice the way the red highlights are strategically placed to draw your eye, and how the leaves add a touch of unexpected colour. Look closely at the beard. It is a mass of tiny marks, scratches and flicks that bring the whole face into focus. It gives the piece real depth and texture, contrasting with the smooth areas of the face and neck. This is how mark making can take on a life of its own, transforming a simple portrait into something much more alive. Picasso was always playing with different modes of representation, and I see echoes here of Matisse's bold graphic style, they have a similar approach to line, and colour. It’s a conversation between artists, each pushing the boundaries of what a print can be.