The artwork entitled “Bull (plate IV)” was created by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso in the year 1945. This lithograph on paper is a testament to Picasso’s foray into Cubism, an art movement he co-founded, which is marked by the use of abstracted shapes and fragmented forms. The artwork forms a part of the “Eleven developments of a lithograph” series and belongs to the animal painting genre. It is currently housed in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, USA.
“Bull (plate IV)” by Picasso is a striking representation of a bull constructed from a series of abstract and geometric shapes that collectively form the animal’s figure. The artwork is executed predominantly in monochromatic tones, which serves to emphasize the interplay of lines and forms. Picasso has managed to convey both the solidity and the dynamic nature of the animal using a network of contours and hatchings. This work encapsulates Picasso’s genius in reducing his subject to its most essential forms while maintaining a palpable sense of its energy and presence.