However, as simple as the sketches appear, it would be incredibly difficult for an amateur to break down an image to its' roots without sacrificing symbolism or meaning.
The enjoyable simplicity expressing such high levels of energy may explain why the images remain popular with members of the public, being a common choice for art print reproductions.
At first glance, La Sautrelle or The Grasshopper appears ridiculously easy to recreate. However, on further reflection one can identify the complexity of using so few lines to create such a detailed image.
Created in the early 20th century, Picasso was at the beginning of his African Art and Primitivism phase which lasted 2 years between 1907 and 1909.
Many attribute this early minimalist style to his later return to the style. In the following years, Picasso began his most famous period; Cubism.
Many of his most famous paintings were created in the time that followed, such as 'Guitariste, La mandoloniste' and Les Demoiselles d'Avigon.
One can see incredible style similarities between La Sauterelle and a number of other pensil drawings made by Picasso.
All have French names identifying them as the eponymous animal.
For example, 'Le Pingouin' and 'Le Flamand Rose' refer to a penguin and flamingo respectively. Other drawings available in the same manner include The Camel, The Horse, The Owl, The Little Pig and The Dog.
Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Nepomunceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso, to use his full name, was a 20th century artist. In his 92 years between 1881 and 1973, he created an astoundingly large body of work including around 20,000 pieces.
They vary between drawings, paintings, sculptures and prints. Originally studying under his father, he took inspiration from his work. Many of them are animal based which is unsurprising considering that the father studied the pigeon intently. Similarly, his stylistic variations are so great, historians and critics alike must divide them into their own periods.
He is considered a co-founder of the cubism movement along with Georges Braque. The movement, which involves deconstructing objects in order to view them through different viewpoints, is arguably the most influential cultural movement of the art world of the last century.
