The artwork titled “Seller of gul” attributed to the artist Pablo Picasso is dated circa 1902. This genre painting was executed using gouache on paper and is a product of the Expressionism movement. The piece measures 55 by 38 centimeters. In the depiction, the use of color and brushwork is distinct and evocative, a hallmark of the artist’s style during this period.
The artwork portrays a gaunt, elderly man standing in a profile view to the left, with a child alongside him. The man holds what appears to be a slender pole or stick extending towards the right edge of the artwork, and he carries a large, round bundle of what could be gul, a type of flower used in various cultures. His attire suggests modesty and possibly the wear of labor, with a dark suit, slightly open at the neck, and he dons a hat that sits back on his head. The child, largely subdued in form, stands in front of the man, also holding a piece of this same bundle.
The color palette is quite limited, dominated by shades of blue and black, which imbue the scene with a somber, melancholic tone, consistent with many of Picasso’s works from his Blue Period. This period is characterized by its emotional depth, use of cooler colors, and themes of poverty, loneliness, and despair. The figures’ facial expressions and the overall atmosphere are evocative, suggesting hardship or exhaustion, possibly reflecting the social realities of the subjects. The brushstrokes are expressive, adding to the emotional intensity of the composition.
