The artwork titled “Paternity” is an oil on canvas painting by the artist Pablo Picasso, dated 1971. It represents a fusion of Cubism and Surrealism, movements with which Picasso is closely associated. The dimensions of the painting are 146 by 114 centimeters, and it falls under the genre of a portrait.
In the painting, Picasso utilizes the fragmented geometry characteristic of Cubism to deconstruct and reconstruct the figures, resulting in a complex visual narrative. The forms are abstracted and the use of perspective is unconventional, inviting viewers to interpret the scene in a non-literal way. The artwork features figures that can be recognized as a representation of father and child, though rendered through the prisms of Picasso’s unique artistic vision. The colours are muted, mainly consisting of earthy and pastel hues, with an emphasis on the interaction between the figures rather than the background, which is rendered in a more simplistic manner. The overall effect is one of a dreamlike tableau, where traditional notions of portraiture are subverted, creating an intimate scene that is open to interpretation and reflective of the artist’s innovative approach to art.
