Bacchanale au hibou 1959

This 1959 linogravure by Pablo Picasso, titled Bacchanale au hibou, is a powerful example of the artist’s late exploration of printmaking, combining classical themes with bold modernist abstraction. Published by Cercle d'Art in Paris, this work (Plate 35) reflects Picasso’s mastery of line, rhythm, and mythological storytelling.

The composition is dense and dynamic, filled with intertwined figures that evoke the spirit of a bacchanal—an ancient celebration associated with revelry, sensuality, and the god Dionysus. Reclining and contorted bodies occupy the foreground, rendered in a fluid yet fragmented style. Their forms are simplified into sweeping curves and angular segments, creating a sense of movement and vitality despite the monochromatic palette.

At the upper left, an owl—one of Picasso’s recurring symbolic motifs—perches calmly, observing the scene. The presence of the owl introduces a layer of ambiguity: traditionally associated with wisdom and night, it contrasts with the earthly pleasures and chaotic energy of the bacchanalian figures below. This juxtaposition between instinct and intellect, celebration and observation, is characteristic of Picasso’s late work.

Executed as a linocut, the piece emphasizes strong, incised lines and contrasts between black and white. Picasso was particularly innovative in this medium during the late 1950s, often pushing the technique beyond its conventional limits.

Rather than adhering to classical harmony, Picasso disrupts spatial logic. Figures overlap and merge into one another, and perspective is flattened. This deliberate distortion enhances the emotional intensity of the scene, transforming a traditional bacchanal into something more psychological and expressive.

Bacchanale au hibou stands as a testament to Picasso’s relentless reinvention. Even in his later years, he continued to reinterpret ancient themes through a radically modern lens, using printmaking not merely as reproduction, but as a space for experimentation and innovation.

Linocut

Abstract - Alcohol - Erotic

Pl. 35 - Editions Cercle d'Art à Paris

Good condition