The artwork “Girl with a Mandolin (Fanny Tellier)” was created by Pablo Picasso in 1910. This oil on canvas piece measures 100.3 by 73.6 centimeters and belongs to the Analytical Cubism art movement. It is a genre painting and is currently held in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, United States.
The artwork presents a fragmented and abstracted figure that appears to be holding a mandolin. Picasso deconstructs the natural form, portraying the subject using geometric shapes and a subdued palette, which is characteristic of the Analytical Cubism phase of his work. Shadows and planes intersect to suggest the form of the female figure and the musical instrument, pushing the boundaries of traditional representation. The interplay of light and dark tones enhances the three-dimensional effect on the two-dimensional canvas, inviting viewers to engage in deciphering the overlaid shapes and forms that hint towards the subject matter. Picasso’s innovative approach to structure and perspective in this painting makes it a significant and influential piece in the history of modern art.
