The artwork titled “The Sun King” was created by the illustrious artist Pablo Picasso in 1901. It is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 52 cm by 34 cm, representative of the Post-Impressionism movement, specifically falling under the genre painting category. This particular piece forms part of the collection at the Hermitage Museum located in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
“The Sun King” by Picasso is a captivating artwork showcasing a child as the central figure. The child, with an endearing expression, appears to sit with a slight slouch, clutching a doll in one arm. The use of vivid and contrasting colors is evident, with the greens, reds, and blues of the child’s attire standing out sharply against the more muted background tones. The child’s face and hair are rendered with more realistic detail compared to the rest of the composition, which features broad, loose brushstrokes, emphasizing the spontaneous quality typical of Post-Impressionistic works. The background, consisting of what appears to be foliage, is abstracted, adding to the focus on the child. The brushwork is dynamic and textural, conveying a sense of immediacy and emotional resonance that invites viewers into the inner world of the depicted subject.