Garcon a la Pipe

This painting, Garcon a la Pipe, was made by Pablo Picasso in 1905, during The Rose Period, which lasted from 1904 to 1906. He painted this while living in Paris, France. The identity of the boy in the painting is not certain. Some say he did not know this boy, while others believe him to be one of the people who he came into contact with where he worked, "little Louis." What drew me to this work over the others from this period was the contrast between the boy and the back ground. The boy's face is very solemn, and his clothes remind me of the paintings during The Blue Period. Looking at the boy alone, sans the crown of flowers, there feeling is somber. On the other hand, the background is decorated with flowers, which give the painting an overall lighter feel. Separately, the two aspects of the painting do not belong together. With the addition of the flower crown to the boy, there is a transition between the two opposites that brings the whole painting together.

Family of saltimbanques

Picasso's rose period lasted from 1904-1906 and was a change from his previous blue period. He started to use lighter colors like reds, orange and pinks, instead of dark blues. This signifies that he was lifted from his depression a little and was feeling happier, partly due to the fact that he moved to Paris full time and met Fernande Olivier who he started a relationship with. During the rose period Picasso also became intrigued with circus performers and Harlequins, and they became the object of many of his paintings. Picasso felt a connection to the performers because they were unrecognized and unappreciated artists. He would sometimes insert himself into the painting, it is said that he is the harlequin on the left of this painting, and that the little girl is his deceased sister. It is also believed that the woman on the left is Fernande Olivier. Also, during Picasso's rose period he started to develop his stylistic means that would contribute to him becoming such an important artist of the 20th  century.

Picasso Rose Period: Acrobat and Young Harlequin

Picasso started the Rose Period in 1904 and it lasted until 1906. This painting in named "Acrobat and Young Harlequin". Picasso painted this in 1905, it was right in the middle of the transition from the Blue Period to the Rose Period. This painting was created at the Le Bateau-Lavoir, Picasso's home and studio in Montmartre, Paris. Circus performers was a favorite theme of Picasso's. It was common for entertainers to perform in public squares in Paris. Some assume that the two people in this painting are siblings. They appear to be looking out at the audience.

A boy with a pipe

Garçon à la Pipe, translated to "a boy with a pipe" was painted in 1905. Picasso painted this when he was 24yrs old. The interesting thing about this painting is that people do not know who this boy is. Picasso doesn't even know who this little boy is. He used local people as models for his artwork. He took a month break during this painting. Then decided to finish it off by painting a flowered wreath. I like the face that the flowers in the background make angel wings. I couldn't find anything as to why he painted them into a shape of angel wings. Maybe it's to show how pure and innocent this little boy is, like an angel. I do find it interesting how he is holding a pipe in his hand. 

head of young man

Pablo Picasso painted, " Head of Young Man" in 1905. I personally like this painting because of the color scheme. Pablo uses various color schemes which include pink and red tones. The rose period uses brighter colors than his blue period. It shows that during this time it was his favorite colors to include in various paintings. What I also like about this portrait is how simple it is. There isn't much going on except the young man in it. I also liked how Picasso enhanced his facial features. I think he did a good job of showing his cheek bones, lips, and his eyes. He has very soft facial features. He seems to be relaxed. I don't think hes upset or anything. I think Pablo Picasso wanted to show more of a happier energy in this portrait. 

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. 

Picasso Rose Period: Head of Young Man

        Pablo Picasso painted, "Head of Young Man" in 1905. I think this is the most striking painting in Picasso's rose period because of the androgyny represented in it. The man has a strong jaw, but defined, soft features like the lips, eyebrows, cheekbones, and his kind eyes. The softness comes from the neutral tints that he used and the shadows he created on the subject's face. The man's face is calming and relaxed, but the image Picasso is portraying represents the reality of a person: their surface beauty tells one story; however, their eyes tell another one. That is why I think the image is so striking and why I enjoy it so much.