Family of Acrobats with Macaque (La Famille de saltimbanques au macaque) from the Saltimbanques series

Family of Acrobats with Macaque (La Famille de saltimbanques au macaque) from the Saltimbanques series by Pablo Picasso is a seminal graphic work executed during the transitional phase between the artist's Blue and Rose Periods. Created in 1905, this piece is a prime example of the Spanish master’s early engagement with the subject of marginalized performers, a theme that dominated his output during the mid-decade.

The work is a drypoint, a form of intaglio printmaking where the image is scratched directly onto a copper plate. This technique creates a characteristic burr, resulting in the soft, rich, velvety line visible in this impression. Picasso’s decision to focus on the itinerant life of acrobats, harlequins, and clowns reflects a broader early 20th-century fascination with the saltimbanques—traveling artists whose public gaiety often masked private isolation.

In this image, a group of circus figures, including a woman holding a child and a man gazing out, forms a tight, melancholy cluster. Their connection is palpable yet restrained, intensified by the inclusion of the macaque, a common feature in circus acts, perched near the group. Picasso renders the family with an introspective sobriety, underscoring the contrast between their public roles and private vulnerabilities.

Though the drypoint was executed in 1905, it was published as part of a larger series of prints in 1913. This date duality highlights the ongoing relevance and republication of Picasso's graphic experiments, making these images widely accessible for study and collection. The work resides today in the distinguished collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, where it serves as a cornerstone example of the artist's early modernism before the advent of Cubism. Picasso's Family of Acrobats with Macaque remains a powerful meditation on poverty, community, and the human condition.