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Head of Harlequin

A work made of graphite on tan wove paper.
© 2018 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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  • A work made of graphite on tan wove paper.

Date:

1916

Artist:

Pablo Picasso
Spanish, 1881–1973

About this artwork

From 1901 onward, costumed entertainers—harlequins, pierrots, and saltimbanques—were sporadic subjects in Picasso’s oeuvre. The harlequin in particular, with his lozenge-patterned costume, played a crucial role in the development of Cubism. This sheet, clearly torn from a sketchbook, as evidenced by the ragged top edge and rounded lower corners, relates to Picasso’s first foray into costume design. Picasso used this particular male model repeatedly in his compositions for Parade, a ballet based on the writing of Jean Cocteau, with music composed by Erik Satie and choreography by Léonide Massine. Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes debuted Parade in Paris on May 18, 1917.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Pablo Picasso

Title

Head of Harlequin

Place

Spain (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Made 1916

Medium

Graphite on tan wove paper

Dimensions

12.7 × 10.1 cm (5 × 4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Dorothy Braude Edinburg to the Harry B. and Bessie K. Braude Memorial Collection

Reference Number

2013.1004

Copyright

© 2018 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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