Created in 1936 by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso, the artwork titled “Minotaur with dead horse in front of a cave facing a girl in veil” is a mythological painting executed in gouache and Indian ink on paper. This piece merges elements of Expressionism and Surrealism within its composition and measures 50.4 cm by 65.6 cm. It reflects a complex and emotionally intense scene that is embedded with symbolic meaning.
The artwork presents several figures: a minotaur, a dead horse, a veiled girl, and a shadowy figure within a cave. The minotaur, a creature from Greek mythology that is part man and part bull, is depicted in a dominant stance over the horse’s corpse, which lies at its feet. With its right arm extended, the minotaur appears to engage with, or perhaps confront, the veiled girl, who is situated at the right-hand side of the scene and separated by what seems to be a partition or wall. This positioning creates a stark contrast between the brute force of the minotaur and the delicate presence of the girl.
In the background, a mysterious cave opening looms, with a dark figure visible within, adding a sense of foreboding and intrigue. The use of strong, gestural lines and the overlay of vibrant colors contribute to the expressive quality of the work, characteristic of Picasso’s style during this period. The artwork encapsulates themes of mythology, violence, innocence, and possibly confrontation, alluding to the underlying tensions present in the era it was created.
