BP#3

The painting I chose is “ The old blind guitarist” by Pablo Picasso. This painting was painted in 1903, while his “blue period.” I chose this painting because his “blue period” came to mind when we studied that the color affects the brain and has emotional and optical effect.

            The type of this painting is portrait. The form is 2D, painting. Oil paintings were used. The style is representational. Picasso depicted the old blind man wearing ragged clothes and his guitar.

The color of this painting is mostly blue. Different values of blue are used to create from the light to the shadow. It is monochromatic. The light side of his back is mostly dark. Even the white is bluish, which is cool color. The value difference shows that the old man is reduced to a mere skeleton. His bluish white bony hands express his poorness, misery and weakness. He hung his head. These colors affect emotional responses. I feel sadness, loneliness, poorness and cold from this blue colors. It is like nobody is caring him on the street. On the other hand, in the blue world of this painting, the guitar is depicted using orange brown, which is complementary color of blue. The guitar is depicted inclined but almost vertical. I think it shows some hope and warmness for him. The guitar is very precious to him. I feel that maybe he likes playing guitar and singing songs even though he is blind and poor. That is the only emotional support to him. He might not have family or friend but he has the guitar. The yellow in his face may show he is alive. He hung his head horizontal. It could mean he is calm when he is playing the guitar. The complementary color has the effect of emphasizing each other, so this blue and orange emphasize the presence of him and the guitar. This painting makes me feel sympathy with him that nobody can live alone.