Variant of Man with a Hat (L'Homme au chapeau) from Du cubisme

Variant of Man with a Hat (L'Homme au chapeau) from Du cubisme by Pablo Picasso is a seminal example of graphic work created during the height of Analytical Cubism in 1914. This image, classified as an Illustrated Book component, is an etching produced as part of a complex supplementary suite. Though conceived during a crucial period of artistic development, this work, demonstrating the Spanish artist's profound commitment to printmaking, was not formally published until 1947. Picasso's approach here utilizes simplified, yet fragmented, planes to capture the essential structure of its subject, typical of the intellectual analysis central to pre-Synthetic Cubism.

The creation of this specific etching is intrinsically linked to the larger collaborative illustrated publication Du cubisme. The artist contributed a highly detailed set of plates to the project, showcasing his technical versatility across various intaglio methods. The overall suite accompanying the book features a diverse array of media, including seven etchings (some incorporating engraving or drypoint), three standalone drypoints, and two aquatint and engravings. This particular piece is drawn from the supplementary suite of twenty-two plates. The abstracted representation of a figure, identifiable by the fragmented lines suggesting a hat, showcases the rigorous analysis Picasso applied to portraiture, breaking down three-dimensional forms into two-dimensional overlapping planes.

While the initial creative phase occurred in 1914, the formal release of this collection of prints in 1947 cemented the importance of the graphic output of the early Cubist movement in art history. Given the nature of its production as a limited edition illustrated book suite, individual impressions and related material are crucial for scholarly study. As time progresses, many early 20th-century prints are entering the public domain, increasing accessibility for researchers and the public. This significant work by Picasso currently resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it serves as a key reference point for understanding the breadth of the artist's engagement with etching during the early modern era.