The Old Guitarist (Art Piece)

Dru McInerney

4/24/14

The Old Guitarist

A:

I chose to write about a painting done by Pablo Picasso called The Old Guitarist. This painting is an oil painting done in the year 1904. It is currently being held in The Chicago Museum of Fine Art. This painting is off an old man hunched over on a street curb. In his hand is an old guitar. He has grey hair and his head is hunched over as to have lost all hope. His clothes are tattered and he seems to not even have the strength to play the guitar. There are many different shades of blue in this painting. The shades contrast from dark navy blues to very light almost gray in color. This painting is a close up of the old man playing the Guitar; the guitar seems to be quite large in contrast to his body.

B:

This painting reflects a period in Picasso’s history called the Blue Period. In this period you see many melancholy colors in his painting. Colors include dark blues and grays. This specific painting was done directly after the death of Picassos close friend. His friend had become depressed and suicidal after a failed relationship. Picasso would move to Paris with his friend to pursue their Art careers. Soon after their move Picasso’s friend would commit suicide. After this Picasso began the blue period where his paintings like The Old Guitarist took a dark turn.

C:

            Looking at this painting gives a dark feeling of how lack of money can ruin a person. This man seems to be playing guitar on the street corner to make some cash. He does not look like the normal street performer who is doing it for the love of music and to make a little pocket money. This is this old mans livelihood. He is not performing on the guitar because he wants to. It is to show you that he needs money but he is doing a little more then just sitting there begging. It is his was of differentiating himself from the other homeless people who are begging for money. He is struggling but he has not completely given up. In a way it feels as if he is still working for his money, even if it is in this form.