Two important motifs from this painting recur in The Unknown Masterpiece: the embracing couple in the lower left, and the crucified horseback rider, in the upper center. The crucified rider, represents the soul of Casagemas, ascending to the afterlife. Similar symbols also appear in earlier drawings and paintings by Picasso. The Unknown Masterpiece reveals its' ultimate stage of development, with the ascension of Picasso himself, at a time in his life he equated with his own death.
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