The artwork titled “The Eight Names of Picasso” is an illustration created by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso in 1970. It is associated with the Naïve Art movement, specifically Primitivism, a genre that reflects an admiration for the elemental and a rejection of the refinement found in traditional art. This particular piece can be found within a collection that combines Picasso’s drawings with poems by Rafael Alberti, with a selection and English translations by Gabriel Berns and David Shapiro. The publication is by Gas Station Editions, based in New York.
Examining the artwork, one observes a distinctive black ink illustration that embodies Picasso’s well-known abstract and primitive style. The figure represented appears to be a profile of a face, rendered in a few, bold, and expressive lines. This depiction exemplifies Picasso’s ability to convey depth and character using minimalistic and abstract forms, which while seemingly simplistic, suggest a complex interplay of light, shadow, and perspective. It is a testament to the artist’s mastery in evoking emotion and interpretation through seemingly effortless strokes.
