Famille D'acrobates Avec Singe, Family of Acrobats with Monkey

       This painting is called Famille D'acrobates Avec Singe, which is French for Family of Acrobats with Monkey. This piece was created on cardboard using mixed media: gouache, watercolor, pastel and Indian ink. Picasso’s Rose Period was a transition from Picasso’s Blue Period, which was a time in Picasso’s life when he was depressed. He met a woman, named Fernande Olivier, who is believed to be the reason for the shift to a much cheerier period in his life. The Rose Period often included lighter subject matter such as circus performers and clowns that were painted in happier colors such as pinks, reds, and oranges. I chose this painting because it is easy to see his inspiration from the circus with the acrobats and monkey. The prominent colors of the Rose Period (pinks, reds, oranges) are also used in this painting and bring your attention primarily to the male acrobat, even though he is not the center figure. I also am intrigued that this painting was created using mixed media as opposed to Picasso’s more typical oil on canvas. I also like that the painting depicts a family, which could be representative of Picasso’s feelings at the time with his lover Fernande Olivier.