Pablo Picasso’s collaboration with French filmmaker Henri-Georges Clouzot for The Mystery of Picasso (1956) led to a groundbreaking documentary on art. By positioning the camera behind a semi-transparent surface, which acted as the backside of an easel, Clouzot captured the reverse images of twenty black-and-white ink drawings, collages, and paintings Picasso produced for the film. This innovative approach offers an intimate view of the creative process in real time. The sequence is enhanced by the musical score of French composer Georges Auric, creating a mesmerising experience. Occasionally, short conversations between Picasso and Clouzot interrupt the artist’s work, evoking the passage of time, a critical element in both art and filmmaking. With its pure and poetic approach to portraiture, The Mystery of Picasso has become a reference film for art documentaries. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1956, where it won the Special Jury Prize.

Henri-Georges Clouzot (1907–1977, France) began his career in the French film industry and gained recognition for his unique storytelling and innovative filming techniques. Known for his bold portrayals of complex characters, Clouzot’s films garnered critical acclaim and international success. Prior to The Mystery of Picasso (1956), his breakthrough film noir classics The Wages of Fear (1953) and Les Diaboliques (1955) solidified his reputation as a master of the thriller genre. His ability to create tension and suspense on screen continues to inspire contemporary filmmakers.

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