The Painted Word

One of Pablo Picasso’s most recognizable pieces is “Three Musicians.” Geometric shapes filled with vivid solid colors create an image that seem as though it should be protruding off the paper. Although not literally having depth, the three musicians appear to be due to their contrast with the dull brown monochrome background. This style of Cubism is just an illusion, and the three musicians are completely flat. The sharp-edged patches of colors and shapes are what help to express an unstable or rapid rhythm from the musicians’ un-evident instruments. The extreme simplification and lack of detail featured throughout the instruments and the cafe setting is typical of any Picasso collage.

The actual three musicians are labeled as a Harlequin, Pierrot and a Monk. These characters reoccurred often throughout Picasso’s artistic career. The Harlequin which is a clown was considered as Picasso’s “alter-ego.”

Picasso repeatedly depicted himself as the Harlequin throughout his work. He identified with the Harlequin as an individual who lived away from the mainstream of society, and someone who saw himself as an entertainer and performer of magic tricks. The Harlequin’s ability to transform whatever he touched with his magic wand was a metaphor for artistic creation with the painter’s brush. The Pierrot and Monk were said to be poet friends of Picasso’s.

Thanks to the colors, consisting of red, yellow, blue and orange, and the over scene setting, “Three Musicians” gives off a “good-time” vibe. The dog, barely visible beneath the musician contributes to this.

Whether it’s hanging in your living room or in the Museum of Modern Art, this feeling can be experienced wherever you’re viewing this revolutionary painting.

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