Faunes et chèvre 1959

This 1959 linogravure by Pablo Picasso, titled Faunes et chèvre (Fauns and Goat), is part of the celebrated series of prints published by Cercle d'Art in Paris. As Plate 31, it reflects Picasso’s playful and inventive engagement with mythological themes during his later years.

The scene unfolds in a simplified pastoral landscape, where rolling green hills, a calm body of water, and stylized clouds create a serene yet imaginative setting. Within this environment, a group of fauns—mythical half-human, half-animal creatures—engage in animated movement, accompanied by a goat. Their gestures suggest music, dance, and celebration, evoking the spirit of ancient rural festivities associated with nature and instinct.

Picasso’s treatment of the figures is deliberately naive and expressive. The bodies are reduced to fluid, almost childlike forms, with exaggerated limbs and minimal facial detail. This simplicity, however, is deceptive; it reveals a sophisticated understanding of line and composition. The figures are arranged in a rhythmic sequence across the foreground, guiding the viewer’s eye through the scene like a visual melody.

Color plays a more prominent role here than in some of Picasso’s other linocuts from the same period. The contrast between the deep greens of the landscape, the bright blue sky, and the pale, warm tones of the figures creates a lively and harmonious palette. The bold outlines unify the composition, while the flat areas of color emphasize the graphic quality of the print.

The subject matter draws from classical mythology, yet Picasso interprets it with humor and freedom. The fauns, traditionally associated with music, mischief, and sensuality, are rendered here in a lighthearted and almost whimsical manner. The goat, a recurring symbol in Picasso’s work, reinforces themes of vitality, nature, and rustic life.

Technically, the linocut process allows Picasso to explore strong contrasts and simplified forms. By carving directly into the linoleum, he achieves a directness of expression that feels spontaneous and immediate. The visible hand of the artist—through the carved lines and shapes—adds to the work’s vitality.

Faunes et chèvre exemplifies Picasso’s late style: a fusion of ancient inspiration and modern experimentation. It is a work that celebrates imagination, movement, and the enduring connection between humanity and the natural world.

Linocut

Abstract - Music - Animals

Pl. 31 - Editions Cercle d'Art Paris

Good condition