21. 21AR (25552655/1) PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) The painter and his model signed and dated '21.5.70 Picasso' (top right); dated '21.5.70' (reverse) pen and ink on card Executed on 21 May 1970 27.8 x 21.9 cm. 10 15/16 x 8 5/8 in. Provenance Sala Gaspar, Barcelona. Collection partculière, France (acquired 1971). Collection partculière, Paris (by descent). Exhibition Barcelona, Sala Gaspar, Picasso pintura dibujo, no. 16 (illustrated np.). Bibliography C. Zervos, Pablo Picasso, Vol. 32, Oeuvres de 1970, Paris, 1977, no. 77 (illustrated p. 34). Pablo Picasso's The Painter and His Model, painted in 1970, is a work that perfectly illustrates the artist's obsession with the relationship between the creator and his muse. In this drawing, Picasso uses geometric shapes and different planes to express the dynamic between the painter and his muse. The painter's figure, often interpreted as a reflection of himself, stands on the right of the drawing, while the model, a predominantly female figure, on the left, is both the object of his gaze and an integral part of his creative process. The model's rounded, triangular features and distorted perspective underline the complexity of the artistic relationship. Picasso uses a stylistic contrast between the painter's features, drawn in a more classical manner, and those of the model, in which we recognise the Cubist touch, with disproportionate, inverted or unbalanced forms. The model hides her face as the brush approaches her bust. Her eyes and smile, shy and amused, show through her hands, creating a discrepancy with the painter's serious, concentrated face. Only the painter's hands grow disproportionately large as they approach the model. This drawing also evokes themes of intimacy and vulnerability. The woman, though depicted in a stylised way, seems both exposed and powerful, highlighting the contrast between the artist and her subject. By choosing bold lines, Picasso captures the energy and passion that drive this interaction. In sum, The Painter and His Model is a reflection on the creative process, perception and the connection between artist and subject, a theme dear to Picasso throughout his career.