Head

The influential Spanish artist Pablo Picasso created the drawing Head in 1913. This significant work, executed solely in charcoal on paper, dates from a pivotal moment in the development of Cubism, specifically the transition between the dense compositions of Analytic Cubism and the more planar, constructed forms of the Synthetic phase. As a masterwork on paper, it highlights the technical and philosophical explorations that underpinned Picasso’s revolutionary approach to form and perspective during this highly experimental year. The finished drawing is a valued component of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Reflecting the core principles of the developing Synthetic Cubism, the composition fragments the subject matter—a human head—into overlapping geometric planes. Picasso employs dense, rhythmic charcoal lines and precise shading to define volume and suggest dimensionality, even while maintaining the inherent flatness of the drawing surface. The abstract representation of the subject challenges traditional portraiture, focusing instead on the viewer’s perception of space and time as simultaneous experiences. This period saw Picasso refining an aesthetic closely allied with collage, and while Head lacks pasted elements, it employs similar constructed forms and planar overlaps typical of his production around 1913.

As one of the seminal works from his prolific Cubist phase, this drawing showcases the profound contribution of the Spanish master to modern art. Picasso’s relentless experimentation in 1913, which moved away from pure representation toward structural abstraction, paved the way for subsequent abstract movements throughout the 20th century. This piece, now residing in the Museum of Modern Art, remains a crucial reference point for understanding the trajectory of modern drawing. Although the original is conserved, the global influence of these early Cubist explorations ensures that high-quality art prints and educational materials featuring works like Head remain widely sought after by students and collectors alike, regardless of their current intellectual property status relative to the public domain.