Duplicate of Man with a Hat from Du Cubisme (On Cubism)

Duplicate of Man with a Hat from Du Cubisme (On Cubisme) by Pablo Picasso is a seminal etching created in 1914, classified as a component of an Illustrated Book. This print originates from a supplementary suite accompanying the main text, showcasing the Spanish artist’s mastery of graphic media during the height of the Cubist movement. While the core artwork was executed during the pivotal creative period of 1914, the comprehensive volume containing the piece was not published until 1947.

The medium is etching, though the complete suite of prints associated with the book employed diverse techniques, including drypoint, engraving, and aquatint, underscoring the complexity of the artistic endeavor. This work features the subject of a Man with a Hat, rendered through the fragmented geometry characteristic of Synthetic Cubism. Picasso, utilizing stark lines and defined negative space afforded by the etching process, translates the planes and shifting perspectives of his painted works into a reproducible format. The structure exemplifies how the artist synthesized recognizable features into abstract arrangements, a key development in his 1914 production.

This specific print belongs to a larger supplementary collection of twenty-two plates, demonstrating the depth of Picasso's contributions to the Illustrated Book as a medium for artistic discourse. The overall project, titled Du Cubisme, was crucial for documenting and promoting the aesthetic principles that defined the movement in the early 20th century. The lasting importance of these graphic works ensures that high-quality reference material and prints remain available for study. This powerful piece, dating from 1914 but published in 1947, is preserved within the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).