Pablo Picasso produced self-portraits throughout his life. In an early, realistic self-portrait, completed when he was just a teenager, he demonstrated his traditional training. During his Blue Period, the artist experimented with modern techniques. His use of the color blue provides clues about his struggle as a poor artist. In works like Self-Portrait With Palette, he simplified forms and emphasized his facial features with heavy lines and shadows. As Picasso developed an interest in African masks, he explored bold, geometric forms in his self-portraits. We can learn about Picasso’s artistic journey by studying his self-portraits.