“Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?”
- October 25, 1881 – April 8, 1973
- Born in Spain
- Painter, sculptor, printmaker
- Founder of Cubism, he had a revolutionary influence on 20th century art, leaving behind masterpieces such as “Guernica”
Quote
“Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?”
Explanation
In this quote, Picasso challenges the traditional approach to portraiture and representation, urging us to consider multiple layers of meaning when depicting a person. The question of whether to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside, or what’s behind it speaks to the complexity of human identity and how it can be represented. What’s on the face could refer to the physical, visible features that define an individual, while what’s inside the face alludes to the internal, emotional, or psychological aspects of a person—what we often conceal or express subtly. Finally, what’s behind the face suggests the idea of hidden depths or unconscious elements that inform a person’s identity but are not easily visible. Picasso’s question invites artists to move beyond the surface and explore the deeper, more complex aspects of a subject’s being.
This idea is particularly relevant in modern art, where artists often question traditional representation and seek to capture the essence or interiority of a person, rather than just their external appearance. Picasso himself was a master of abstracting the human form, particularly in his Cubist work, where he depicted the human face from multiple perspectives at once, revealing both the physical and emotional complexities of the subject. For Picasso, painting was not about replicating the literal appearance of the subject, but about uncovering the underlying truth that lay beneath the surface.
An example of this can be seen in the work of abstract expressionists like Willem de Kooning, whose portraits of women focused on the psychological and emotional experience, rather than exact likeness. Similarly, modern portrait photographers like Cindy Sherman use their self-portraits to explore the constructed nature of identity, revealing the layers of persona and performance that exist beneath the surface. Picasso’s quote reminds us that a portrait is not just about external appearance but about exploring the deeper, often unseen, aspects of a person’s identity—whether internal, psychological, or hidden from view.
