176 Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) after – Head of Christ with Crown of Thorns XVIII – Charcoal Lithograph (1959)

This powerful monochrome lithograph, dated 2.3.59 and marked “XVIII,” depicts the face of Christ wearing a crown of thorns. Executed in an expressive charcoal-like style with bold, gestural strokes, the portrait captures both the suffering and serenity traditionally associated with this subject. The stylization of the eyes and linear beard evokes Picasso’s late-period exploration of sacred themes through a modernist lens. While not part of his Toros y Toreros series, this image reflects Picasso’s broader interest in myth, martyrdom, and religious iconography during the 1950s. This lithograph is a reproduction published in 1962 as part of a collection printed by Cercle d’Art, paying homage to the emotional and symbolic power of his original works. The stark contrast and intense expression place this piece among Picasso's most spiritual and introspective visual experiments.