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Picasso’s oil painting, “The Old Guitarist” was painted in 1903, just after the suicide of Picasso's close friend, Casagemas. It was characteristic of his Blue Period painting from 1900 - 1905 when he painted essentially monochromatic paintings in shades of blue and blue-green. During this time, having been nearly penniless and impoverished, he was sympathetic to those less fortunate in society. As a consequence he painted many canvases depicting the miseries of the poor, the ill, and the downtrodden. With predominantly blue sombre colours this painting evokes a mood of melancholy and sadness.
This work shows a distorted style resembling the16th century Spanish artist El Greco with his elongated limbs and angular body positions. The focal point of the painting, and of this bent and sightless man, is his large, round guitar, which he holds close to him. Its brown body represents the painting’s only variation in colour. Clearly delineated forms accentuate the flatness of the painting. This shift away from realistic painting highlighting the influence of impressionism and post-impressionism on Picasso's work.
Theme
Medium
Style
Line
Texture
Colours
Value
Space/Perspective
Themes:
Pacific, blend of cultures, joy, happiness, contentment
Medium:
oil paints on canvas
Style:
stylised figurative
Line:
strong bold clearly delineated
Shapes:
organic shapes
stylised- representational
island motifs/patterns (Motif = distinctive feature)
Colours:
vivid, brilliant, vibrant
broad spectrum - complementary colours
Value:
variation - shading 3D
Texture:
Smooth
Space:
Isometric perspective.