The artwork titled “Self Portrait Yo Picasso,” created by artist Pablo Picasso in 1901, is an oil on canvas that belongs to the Expressionism movement. It measures 73.5 by 60.5 centimeters and falls under the self-portrait genre. Currently, this piece is housed within a private collection.
The artwork captures the young Picasso gazing directly at the viewer with an intense and contemplative expression. His visage is rendered with a stark contrast of warm and cool tones, with the use of vibrant oranges and calming blues. The brushwork is dynamic, indicative of Picasso’s early foray into the Expressionism movement, emphasizing emotional experience over physical reality.
Picasso’s attire in the piece somewhat blends with the background but stands out due to the strategic application of color and light, creating an image that is both assertive and enigmatic. The deep greens and blacks of the backdrop serve to thrust his figure forward, emphasizing the psychological presence rather than literal surroundings. The overall composition of the artwork manifests the young artist’s confident self-awareness and his burgeoning artistic identity at the turn of the 20th century.
