What do you think?
Rate this book
Picasso Line Drawings and Prints
Picasso may have the most uncanny line since Botticelli. Each medium or style he chose to master, no matter how solid or sculptural, can be seen as line disguised, metamorphic; as the labyrinth to which a single thread is the key. Theoretically, line is infinite; Picasso in his fertility nearly realized that theory in almost a century of ceaseless drawing, whether on paper, zinc, stone, or other media.
Here is a sampling, rather than a comprehensive selection, from that plenitude; while nothing could be comprehensive within a single volume, the genius of Picasso's line manifests itself so clearly that this culling from various periods reveals the line in most of its guises.
Beginning with a 1905 circus family in drypoint, 44 drawings cover Picasso's major themes, techniques, and styles. From the almost classic Ingresque clarity of the Diaghilev and Stravinsky portraits (1919, 1920) via cubist studies and "neo-classical" nudes, Picasso's restless hand remakes his world again and again with fresh energy, culminating here in six sketches of the artist/model dashed out in raging love/hate in the midst of personal crisis (1953–54). In between are times of serenity and introspection ( Seven Dancers (1919), with the future Olga Picasso up front; many figures and bathers) and, particularity as book illustrations, many mythological studies; Eurydice Stung by a Serpent (1930 etching), Dying Minotaur in the Arena (1933), an etching for a 1934 edition of Lysistrata . Balzac is represented by a striking lithographic portrait (1952) and by etching for Vollard's edition of Le Chef-d'oeuvre inconnu . The sudden appearance of an earthy, hirsute Rembrandt (1934) seems to confirm Picasso's membership in the select group of art history's greatest draughtsmen.
Here is a sampling, rather than a comprehensive selection, from that plenitude; while nothing could be comprehensive within a single volume, the genius of Picasso's line manifests itself so clearly that this culling from various periods reveals the line in most of its guises.
Beginning with a 1905 circus family in drypoint, 44 drawings cover Picasso's major themes, techniques, and styles. From the almost classic Ingresque clarity of the Diaghilev and Stravinsky portraits (1919, 1920) via cubist studies and "neo-classical" nudes, Picasso's restless hand remakes his world again and again with fresh energy, culminating here in six sketches of the artist/model dashed out in raging love/hate in the midst of personal crisis (1953–54). In between are times of serenity and introspection ( Seven Dancers (1919), with the future Olga Picasso up front; many figures and bathers) and, particularity as book illustrations, many mythological studies; Eurydice Stung by a Serpent (1930 etching), Dying Minotaur in the Arena (1933), an etching for a 1934 edition of Lysistrata . Balzac is represented by a striking lithographic portrait (1952) and by etching for Vollard's edition of Le Chef-d'oeuvre inconnu . The sudden appearance of an earthy, hirsute Rembrandt (1934) seems to confirm Picasso's membership in the select group of art history's greatest draughtsmen.
- GenresArtArt History
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
1 person is currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Pablo Picasso
984 books961 followersPablo Ruiz Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theatre designer who spent most of his adult life in France. One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, he is known for co-founding the Cubist movement, the invention of constructed sculpture, the co-invention of collage, and for the wide variety of styles that he helped develop and explore. Among his most famous works are the proto-Cubist Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907) and the anti-war painting Guernica (1937), a dramatic portrayal of the bombing of Guernica by German and Italian air forces during the Spanish Civil War.
Picasso demonstrated extraordinary artistic talent in his early years, painting in a naturalistic manner through his childhood and adolescence. During the first decade of the 20th century, his style changed as he experimented with different theories, techniques, and ideas. After 1906, the Fauvist work of the older artist Henri Matisse motivated Picasso to explore more radical styles, beginning a fruitful rivalry between the two artists, who subsequently were often paired by critics as the leaders of modern art.
Picasso's output, especially in his early career, is often periodized. While the names of many of his later periods are debated, the most commonly accepted periods in his work are the Blue Period (1901–1904), the Rose Period (1904–1906), the African-influenced Period (1907–1909), Analytic Cubism (1909–1912), and Synthetic Cubism (1912–1919), also referred to as the Crystal period. Much of Picasso's work of the late 1910s and early 1920s is in a neoclassical style, and his work in the mid-1920s often has characteristics of Surrealism. His later work often combines elements of his earlier styles.
Exceptionally prolific throughout the course of his long life, Picasso achieved universal renown and immense fortune for his revolutionary artistic accomplishments, and became one of the best-known figures in 20th-century art.
Picasso demonstrated extraordinary artistic talent in his early years, painting in a naturalistic manner through his childhood and adolescence. During the first decade of the 20th century, his style changed as he experimented with different theories, techniques, and ideas. After 1906, the Fauvist work of the older artist Henri Matisse motivated Picasso to explore more radical styles, beginning a fruitful rivalry between the two artists, who subsequently were often paired by critics as the leaders of modern art.
Picasso's output, especially in his early career, is often periodized. While the names of many of his later periods are debated, the most commonly accepted periods in his work are the Blue Period (1901–1904), the Rose Period (1904–1906), the African-influenced Period (1907–1909), Analytic Cubism (1909–1912), and Synthetic Cubism (1912–1919), also referred to as the Crystal period. Much of Picasso's work of the late 1910s and early 1920s is in a neoclassical style, and his work in the mid-1920s often has characteristics of Surrealism. His later work often combines elements of his earlier styles.
Exceptionally prolific throughout the course of his long life, Picasso achieved universal renown and immense fortune for his revolutionary artistic accomplishments, and became one of the best-known figures in 20th-century art.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 18, 2025
In Picasso Line Drawings and Prints: 44 Illustrations, Dover Publications presents a striking collection that serves as both a study in the simplicity of genius and an exploration of the profound communicative power of line. This concise yet evocative volume offers readers a glimpse into Pablo Picasso’s enduring legacy, showcasing a selection of drawings and prints that span different periods of his prolific career. The result is a book that not only celebrates artistic virtuosity but also invites deep reflection on the creative process itself.
The Art of Simplicity
Picasso’s mastery of the line is unparalleled, and this collection is a testament to his ability to distill complex forms, emotions, and narratives into their most elemental components. The pieces featured here are a reminder that simplicity does not equate to absence but rather a deliberate paring down to essentials. Whether depicting human figures, animals, or abstract forms, Picasso’s line work vibrates with an energy that feels both spontaneous and meticulously calculated. This duality is where the artist's brilliance truly shines, as he transcends the apparent limitations of his medium to evoke the infinite.
A Study in Creative Evolution
The illustrations in this collection reveal the evolution of Picasso’s style, from the fluidity of his early works to the angular dynamism of his later creations. Dover’s selection allows the viewer to trace the threads of his artistic inquiry—his dialogue with Cubism, Surrealism, and even the classical traditions he so often deconstructed. Each drawing or print serves as a snapshot of Picasso’s restless experimentation, his refusal to remain tethered to any single aesthetic approach.
The Intimacy of Line
One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is how it captures the intimacy of Picasso’s draftsmanship. The immediacy of line drawings and prints—a medium often stripped of the embellishments of color or texture—reveals a rawness that is simultaneously unguarded and deliberate. In this collection, we see Picasso the thinker, the observer, the innovator. These works feel less like finished products and more like fleeting moments of insight captured on paper, giving the viewer a rare glimpse into the mind of a creative titan.
An Accessible Treasure
Dover Publications, known for its commitment to affordable access to great art, has once again delivered a volume that is as approachable as it is valuable. The quality of reproduction is excellent for a book of this price point, making it a treasure for students, educators, and enthusiasts alike. While the lack of accompanying text might leave some readers craving deeper historical or contextual commentary, the images themselves provide ample material for study and contemplation.
Scholarly and Personal Reflections
For the literary scholar or the art historian, this book offers an entry point for examining the relationship between Picasso’s visual language and broader modernist trends. Picasso’s line work has often been likened to poetry, with each stroke functioning as a word in an intricate visual verse. Seen in this light, Picasso Line Drawings and Prints becomes more than a catalog; it is a meditation on the power of minimalism, the tension between tradition and innovation, and the universal language of art.
For the casual reader or budding artist, this collection is equally inspiring, serving as a masterclass in how simplicity can be used to convey depth. As a companion to a broader study of Picasso’s oeuvre, it enriches our understanding of his genius by focusing on one of the most fundamental aspects of his practice.
Picasso Line Drawings and Prints: 44 Illustrations is an unassuming yet profound celebration of Picasso’s artistry. In its pages, readers will find a distilled essence of his genius—one that continues to inspire and challenge artists and thinkers alike. This is not merely a collection of drawings; it is a journey through the creative process of one of history’s most celebrated artists. Whether approached as a scholarly resource or a source of personal inspiration, this volume is a testament to the enduring power of the line and to Picasso’s ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The Art of Simplicity
Picasso’s mastery of the line is unparalleled, and this collection is a testament to his ability to distill complex forms, emotions, and narratives into their most elemental components. The pieces featured here are a reminder that simplicity does not equate to absence but rather a deliberate paring down to essentials. Whether depicting human figures, animals, or abstract forms, Picasso’s line work vibrates with an energy that feels both spontaneous and meticulously calculated. This duality is where the artist's brilliance truly shines, as he transcends the apparent limitations of his medium to evoke the infinite.
A Study in Creative Evolution
The illustrations in this collection reveal the evolution of Picasso’s style, from the fluidity of his early works to the angular dynamism of his later creations. Dover’s selection allows the viewer to trace the threads of his artistic inquiry—his dialogue with Cubism, Surrealism, and even the classical traditions he so often deconstructed. Each drawing or print serves as a snapshot of Picasso’s restless experimentation, his refusal to remain tethered to any single aesthetic approach.
The Intimacy of Line
One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is how it captures the intimacy of Picasso’s draftsmanship. The immediacy of line drawings and prints—a medium often stripped of the embellishments of color or texture—reveals a rawness that is simultaneously unguarded and deliberate. In this collection, we see Picasso the thinker, the observer, the innovator. These works feel less like finished products and more like fleeting moments of insight captured on paper, giving the viewer a rare glimpse into the mind of a creative titan.
An Accessible Treasure
Dover Publications, known for its commitment to affordable access to great art, has once again delivered a volume that is as approachable as it is valuable. The quality of reproduction is excellent for a book of this price point, making it a treasure for students, educators, and enthusiasts alike. While the lack of accompanying text might leave some readers craving deeper historical or contextual commentary, the images themselves provide ample material for study and contemplation.
Scholarly and Personal Reflections
For the literary scholar or the art historian, this book offers an entry point for examining the relationship between Picasso’s visual language and broader modernist trends. Picasso’s line work has often been likened to poetry, with each stroke functioning as a word in an intricate visual verse. Seen in this light, Picasso Line Drawings and Prints becomes more than a catalog; it is a meditation on the power of minimalism, the tension between tradition and innovation, and the universal language of art.
For the casual reader or budding artist, this collection is equally inspiring, serving as a masterclass in how simplicity can be used to convey depth. As a companion to a broader study of Picasso’s oeuvre, it enriches our understanding of his genius by focusing on one of the most fundamental aspects of his practice.
Picasso Line Drawings and Prints: 44 Illustrations is an unassuming yet profound celebration of Picasso’s artistry. In its pages, readers will find a distilled essence of his genius—one that continues to inspire and challenge artists and thinkers alike. This is not merely a collection of drawings; it is a journey through the creative process of one of history’s most celebrated artists. Whether approached as a scholarly resource or a source of personal inspiration, this volume is a testament to the enduring power of the line and to Picasso’s ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
March 19, 2021
Not for reading but beautiful drawings nonetheless
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews