1918
(Spanish, 1881–1973)
Oil on canvas
Framed: 171 x 132 x 7.5 cm (67 5/16 x 51 15/16 x 2 15/16 in.); Unframed: 142.2 x 100.3 cm (56 x 39 1/2 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 1975.2
© Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
The diamond-patterned costume and triangular hat identify the musician in this painting as one of Picasso's alter egos, Harlequin, a jokester from the popular Commedia dell' arte. The phrase Si tu veux on the sheet of music may refer to a popular song that begins, "If you wish, Marguerite, make me happy by giving me your heart." The inclusion of this lyric may refer to Picasso's marriage to Russian ballerina Olga Koklova in 1918.
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