Poem Analysis - Picasso

An Ode to Artistic Disruption

E.E. Cummings' "Picasso" is a challenging yet admiring portrait of the iconic artist. The poem eschews traditional praise, instead focusing on the disruptive and sometimes unsettling nature of Picasso's art. The tone is initially somewhat confrontational, almost accusatory, but shifts to one of awe and respect as the poem progresses. The poem celebrates Picasso's ability to break down conventional perceptions and reveal a raw, often jarring, truth.

The Power of Unconventional Creation

One central theme in the poem is the power of unconventional creation. Cummings suggests that Picasso doesn't simply create beautiful objects, but rather forces the viewer to confront something primal and visceral. The opening lines, "you give us Things / which / bulge:grunting lungs pumped full of sharp thick mind," immediately establish this idea. The imagery is deliberately jarring and physical, emphasizing the discomfort and intellectual challenge Picasso's art presents. The phrase "sharp thick mind" suggests that this challenge is not superficial but rooted in deep thought and intention.

Simplicity and the Summoning of Truth

Another theme explored is the paradoxical relationship between simplicity and complexity. Cummings writes, "you make us shrill / presents always / shut in the sumptuous screech of / simplicity." This seemingly contradictory statement highlights how Picasso's seemingly simple forms can evoke powerful and complex emotions. The "sumptuous screech" implies a sensory overload, suggesting that the simplicity is not about a lack of content but rather a concentrated essence that demands attention. He's distilling the essence of an object or idea down to its most impactful form, like a primal scream.

The Axe to the Ego

The poem uses vivid imagery related to destruction and reconstruction to further underscore Picasso's artistic method. The lines, "Lumberman of The Distinct / your brain's / axe only chops hugest inherent / Trees of Ego," are particularly striking. This metaphor suggests that Picasso's art is a process of dismantling the "Ego," the preconceived notions and superficial prettiness that obscure genuine perception. He is not merely lopping off branches but uprooting entire "Trees of Ego" to reveal something more fundamental. This violent image of chopping, especially the mention of "living" trees, further emphasizes the disturbing yet truthful aspect of Picasso's work. This implies a painful but necessary destruction to allow for new forms of expression.

Whispers and Screams of Existence

The images of "squeak of planes" and "squeals of / Nothing" are the most ambiguous and challenging in the poem. These sounds exist "out of the / black unbunged / Something," and "between squeals of / Nothing." Are these sounds the result of Picasso's destruction of the "Trees of Ego"? Are they the sounds of creation itself, the raw and unfiltered expression of existence? The "circular shrieking tightness" is also particularly intriguing. Does this imply a desperate grasping for meaning in a world seemingly devoid of it? These unsettling and open-ended images leave room for individual interpretation and contribute to the poem's overall sense of intellectual provocation.

The Enduring Impact of Disruption

In conclusion, "Picasso" is not a simple celebration of artistic talent, but rather an exploration of the disruptive and transformative power of art. Cummings uses vivid and often jarring imagery to convey the intellectual and emotional challenge Picasso's work presents. By focusing on the artist's ability to dismantle conventional perceptions and reveal a raw, often unsettling, truth, the poem ultimately celebrates Picasso's enduring impact as a revolutionary figure who forced the world to see in new ways. The poem, in its own fragmented and unconventional form, mirrors the very artistic qualities it seeks to describe, leaving a lasting impression of the artist's groundbreaking and unsettling genius.