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1920s
1920s

In the 1920s, Pablo Picasso's art underwent significant transformations, reflecting both a continuation of his Cubist innovations and a new engagement with Neoclassical and Surrealist styles. After World War I, Picasso's work veered towards a Neoclassical style, emphasizing traditional forms and mythological subjects, inspired by the classical world of Italy. This period saw the creation of artworks that focused on themes of motherhood and classical beauty, such as "Woman in White" (1923), highlighting a return to order and form following the avant-garde disruptions of Cubism​ (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)​. Picasso's interest in Surrealist imagery began to emerge towards the end of the 1920s, as seen in works like "Nude Standing by the Sea" (1929), where classical poses are juxtaposed with distorted, morphed figures. This shift towards Surrealism was part of a broader engagement with the movement's exploration of the unconscious and dream imagery​ (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)​. Throughout the decade, Picasso also continued to explore and refine Cubist techniques. Notable works from this period include a series of still lifes and depictions of musical instruments, such as "Still Life with Guitar" and "Guitar and fruit bowl on a table," which demonstrate his ongoing experimentation with form, perspective, and the integration of everyday objects into his compositions​ (Pablo Picasso Art)​. The 1920s were a period of both reflection and innovation for Picasso, as he navigated between the classical and the modern, the figurative and the abstract. His work from this era reflects a complex dialogue with the artistic traditions of the past and the emerging ideas of his time, contributing to his lasting impact on the trajectory of 20th-century art​ (The Art Story)​​ (Encyclopedia Britannica)​​ (Pablo Picasso)​.