Researchers discover a hidden drawing in a famous Picasso work

Using X-ray technology, a team of researchers has discovered a drawing hidden beneath one of Pablo Picasso’s most famous works, Still Life, created in 1922.

Anunusual discovery, as researchers at theArt Institute of Chicago, where the work is on display, called it, revealed the presence of a sketch, on the back of the canvas, depicting a pitcher, a cup and a newspaper on a chair.

According to the study published in SN Applied Science, infrared images revealed that Picasso had originally depicted a neoclassical still life on the canvas. He had then applied a white lead-based layer to this first composition to later paint the famous painting dated Feb. 4, 1922.

It appears that this white layer was applied with a brush with the intention of blocking out the first composition and providing a uniform surface for the later 1922 painting. “This is almost unusual in Picasso’s production, as the artist often painted directly over previous compositions, making it clear that underlying forms would influence the final painting,” the researchers say.

Pictured is the infrared image that revealed the hidden drawing.

Researchers discover a hidden drawing in a famous Picasso work

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