“The Sailor” is a notable artwork created by the esteemed artist Pablo Picasso in the year 1938. The medium used for this portrait is oil on canvas, embracing the distinctive style of Surrealism. The dimensions of the artwork are 58.5 x 48 cm. This piece epitomizes the Surrealist movement’s proclivity toward the unconventional portrayal of subjects, exploring the depths of the human psyche.
The artwork presents a striking portrait of a figure that appears to be a sailor, characterized by the use of bold, vivid colors and distorted forms—a hallmark of Picasso’s unique style. The sailor’s face is rendered in a non-realistic fashion with incongruous facial features that challenge traditional portraiture. Objects such as the hat and the striped shirt are recognizable, yet represented through geometric abstraction.
Picasso’s skillful use of color is apparent in the juxtaposition of complementary shades, which contributes to the dynamic impact of the piece. The sailor’s expression is inscrutable, with the eyes asymmetrical and the mouth delineated by a swath of green, enhancing the surreal quality of the composition. The use of sharp lines and flat areas of color give the piece a strong graphic quality, underpinning the artist’s departure from realist representation toward a more avant-garde expression of individual identity.
