The artwork “Old blind man with boy” by Pablo Picasso was created in 1903 and is a quintessential example of genre painting within the Expressionist movement. Executed in oil on canvas, it measures 125 by 92 centimeters. This notable piece of Picasso’s oeuvre is housed in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
This profound artwork depicts an elderly blind man seated alongside a young boy. The composition is dominated by the use of cool, monochromatic blues, which is characteristic of Picasso’s Blue Period, symbolizing the sense of melancholy and despair. The expressions on the subjects’ faces convey a poignant emotion that suggests hardship and weariness. The older man’s eyes are closed or obscured, indicating his blindness, while the boy’s contemplative gaze seems to be directed inward, mirroring the introspection of the piece itself.
The elongation of the figures’ limbs and their posture contribute to the overall feeling of exhaustion and vulnerability. Through his masterful use of color and form, Picasso effectively evokes a narrative that is both personal and universal, reflecting on the human conditions of suffering and empathy. The stark simplification of background elements in the artwork further highlights the figures, making their interaction and emotional states the central focus of the painting. This powerful and emotive piece is a testament to Picasso’s ability to connect with viewers through the raw and expressive qualities inherent in his works from this period.
