What you are looking at
A thin, bent, blind old man in rags sits playing a large brown guitar, the only warm color in a painting almost entirely in shades of blue.
Why it is famous
Picasso painted it in Barcelona in 1903 and 1904, during his Blue Period, when poverty and the death of a friend led him to paint the poor and outcast in somber blues.
How big is The Old Guitarist?
The Old Guitarist measures 122.9 × 82.6 cm (48.4 × 32.5 in), without its frame. Its surface is about 2 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
It belongs to the Art Institute of Chicago. Check the museum's website to see if it is on view.
Museums move and lend paintings. Check the museum's website before you travel to see one work. See all famous paintings in Chicago.
More by Pablo Picasso
Also at the Art Institute of Chicago
Paris Street; Rainy DayGustave Caillebotte, 1877 Chicago
American GothicGrant Wood, 1930 Chicago
NighthawksEdward Hopper, 1942 ChicagoFrequently asked questions
Who painted The Old Guitarist?
Pablo Picasso painted The Old Guitarist in 1903 to 1904.
Where is The Old Guitarist?
The Old Guitarist is in the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, United States.
How big is The Old Guitarist?
122.9 × 82.6 cm (48.4 × 32.5 in). Its surface is about 2 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is The Old Guitarist made with?
Oil on panel.
Sources: Art Institute of Chicago, "The Old Guitarist"; Wikidata Q3228112; Wikipedia, "The Old Guitarist". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.