The artwork titled “The Visit (The two sisters)” is an oil on canvas genre painting created by the prominent artist Pablo Picasso in 1902. It reflects the Expressionist art movement and is currently held at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The painting encapsulates the emotional intensity and psychological exploration characteristic of Expressionism.
In this artwork, two figures are depicted in a somber, intimate interaction. Their postures and expressions suggest a narrative steeped in emotion. Picasso utilizes a cool, limited palette, primarily composed of blues and greens, which heightens the mood of melancholy and introspection. This choice of color is reflective of what is known as his Blue Period, where he often explored themes of poverty, loneliness, and despair.
The forms are elongated and somewhat distorted, typical of Picasso’s style during this period, which emphasizes the inner turmoil or distress of the subjects rather than adhering to realistic proportions. The use of elongated forms and the angularity in the figures’ faces also adds to the expression of suffering and sadness. The painting’s stark and minimalistic background focuses the viewer’s attention on the emotional exchange between the two figures, further emphasizing the introspective quality of the work.
