In this artwork, how is the Description discussed?
The painting depicts travelling circus artists in the process of a rehearsal. The scene focuses on a young girl gracefully balancing on a ball to the left of the composition, while to the right, a powerful athlete is sitting on a cube. The Pushkin Museum states that, "The artist is reflecting not so much on the fate of people in the arts, as on the universal laws of balance and interaction, harmony and contrast."In this painting Picasso displays a group of people who are outcasts, but connected by each other. This is reflected in the contrast and balance of the two main subjects. The girl balancing on the ball appears fragile, which contrasts with the strength and large figure of the seated man. There appears to be a geometry and natural grace within the composition. The figure of the girl has been described as an embodiment of the transient dream of life, with the man's power protecting her from the cruelty of reality. By using ash pink and blue shades for both the figures and the background, Picasso conveyed the emotional state of the circus artists, suggesting that they are immersed in their own world.The direct relationship between the two figures can be noted in various details in the painting. The sharp angle of the man's left leg mirrors the left arm of the girl. The blue hue of his shorts reflects the pale blue tones of the girl's leotard. The red flower clipped to her hair balances with the warm hues of the man's shirt and tights.To emphasise the contrast between the two figures, Picasso ignored reality and instead exaggerated the features of the painting. He chose to distort the proportions of the composition, such as depicting the man as a colossus.
Pushkin Museum