The artwork titled “Owl on a chair and sea urchins” was created by Pablo Picasso in the year 1946. It is an oil painting on canvas. This work of art is associated with the Surrealism movement and it measures approximately 8.5 x 76.8 cm. It falls under the genre of animal painting, which is depicted through the rendering of the owl and the sea urchins in the composition.
In the artwork, a somewhat abstract rendition of an owl is seated on a chair. The owl’s face is portrayed with distinctive features such as large, round eyes and a pattern of shapes forming the beak and plumage, embodying the surrealistic style characteristic of Picasso’s later works. Below the owl on the chair is an assortment of objects that resemble sea urchins. Their circular form with radiating spines contrasts the linear geometry of the chair. The background and the rest of the scene are kept relatively simple, with blocks of color creating a flat, yet expressive backdrop, common in Picasso’s surrealist interpretations. The choice of a limited palette with emphasis on earthy tones and the sharp contrast between the subject and the background contribute to the overall surreal atmosphere of the piece.
