Study for a Construction

Study for a Construction by Pablo Picasso, executed in ink on paper in 1912, is a fundamental drawing from the apex of the artist’s Cubist explorations. Created either in Paris or Sorgues during the spring or summer of 1912, this drawing illustrates the critical moment when Picasso moved beyond the dense fragmentation of Analytical Cubism toward the structure and planar overlaps characteristic of Synthetic Cubism. The work demonstrates how the Spanish master sought to define volumetric form not through traditional shading, but through the delineation of interlocking, geometric planes.

The classification of this piece as a drawing underscores its function as a laboratory for formal ideas. Picasso uses precise applications of ink on paper, often employing ruled lines and cross-hatching to suggest transparency and depth, allowing overlapping planes to exist simultaneously in two and three dimensions. This structural emphasis on clarity and composition reflects the era’s push toward defining objects through essential form rather than mimesis. This drawing serves as a powerful blueprint, likely preparatory for a more complex construction or oil painting, reflecting the artist’s sustained interest in assembling objects. The time spent in "Paris or Sorgues, spring or summer 1912" was pivotal for the development of these constructed realities, leading directly into his pivotal use of papier collé.

This piece holds significant historical value, documenting the maturation of Cubism through the hand of the 20th century’s most influential figure. The work is currently housed in the renowned collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where its importance to the narrative of modern art is recognized globally. While the original remains a museum treasure, high-quality prints and digital reproductions are sometimes made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring that students and enthusiasts worldwide can study this essential moment in the career of Picasso.