On the Beach, II (Three Nudes) (Sur la plage. II (Trois nus]) from the series Four Lithographs (Quatre lithographies)

On the Beach, II (Three Nudes) (Sur la plage. II (Trois nus]) from the series Four Lithographs (Quatre lithographies) is a significant print created by Pablo Picasso in 1921, though the formal edition was published seven years later in 1928. This work belongs to the Spanish artist's Neoclassical phase, a period following World War I where many European artists returned to ordered, classical forms as a reaction against pre-war avant-garde fragmentation.

Picasso executed the image using the lithographic technique, relying on the contrast of black ink on paper to define volume and form. The subject features three massive nude figures situated on a shoreline, rendered with a powerful, monumental physicality that emphasizes classical weight and sculptural presence. These robust forms, characteristic of the artist's explorations during the early 1920s, draw heavily upon Roman and Hellenistic traditions, replacing the angularity of Cubism with smooth, clean contours and simplified masses. The composition conveys a sense of timeless tranquility, focusing on the stability of the human figure.

The execution of these highly defined prints demonstrates Picasso's mastery of the medium, utilizing precise line work and subtle cross-hatching to model the figures, rather than relying on color or aggressive texture. The inclusion of On the Beach, II (Three Nudes) in the limited series Four Lithographs underscores the importance of graphic work within the artist’s output. This lithograph serves as a crucial document of the period, reflecting Picasso’s ability to shift stylistic gears while maintaining absolute technical control. This key work from 1921, published 1928, is held within the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), offering a definitive example of Picasso's Neoclassical approach to the monumental nude.