Portrait of Pablo Picasso

The portrait depicts the duality in the relations of Modigliani and Picasso who shared both an artistic rivalry and a mutual admiration. The uneven two-toned face of the subject suggests an inner conflict within the artist, as well as between artist and subject.^[2]

Modigliani and Picasso first met in Paris in 1906 when Modigliani lived in Le Bateau-Lavoir artistic community where Picasso had a studio and worked on such works as Les Demoselles d’Avignon.^[3] Even though Picasso is said to admire Modigliani's art, needing a canvas he once painted over a Modigliani's work he had acquired.^[4]

In the 1930s, the Portrait of Pablo Picasso by Modigliani was owned by Pablo Picasso, as well as some other Modigliani's work, including Girl with Brown Hair, dating from 1918.^[3] Currently the Portrait of Pablo Picasso is in a private collection.^[5]