In Peintre dessinant et modèle nu au chapeau, Pablo Picasso distills the intimate relationship between artist and model into a dynamic yet minimalist visual dialogue. Created in 1965, this linocut - part of his later body of graphic work - employs a stark black background and precise white linework to achieve a composition both spontaneous and structured.

The scene captures a moment of intense creative focus: a bearded painter seated before his nude model, who reclines comfortably, her legs raised as she adjusts her pose. The hat she wears adds an element of theatricality and erotic play, a nod to the artifice that exists even within intimacy. The model’s calm demeanour contrasts with the fervent energy of the artist, whose jagged lines and wide-eyed expression underscore the act of looking and translating life into form.

Executed with unbroken contour lines, the figures are flattened yet full of tension and rhythm. Despite the economy of means, Picasso conveys texture, emotion, and movement. The negative space plays a crucial role, allowing the viewer’s eye to fill in what is suggested but not shown - an artistic strategy that invites participation in the act of creation.

Peintre dessinant et modèle nu au chapeau is a quintessential example of Picasso’s late genius: a playful, knowing work that reflects on the creative process itself. Through line and contrast, he explores the timeless themes of gaze, desire, and the transformative power of drawing.

Printed and published by Arnera, Vallauris, France in 1965