1901 Portrait de Lola Ruiz Picasso Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The portrait presents a young woman viewed in a close-up, bust-length composition. Her gaze is averted downwards and slightly to the left, creating a sense of introspection or perhaps melancholy. The artist has rendered her with a palette dominated by earthy tones – ochres, browns, and muted greens – which contribute to an overall somber atmosphere.
The application of paint appears loose and expressive; brushstrokes are visible throughout, particularly in the rendering of the hair, which is depicted as a dark, somewhat chaotic mass framing her face. The skin tone is uneven, with patches of yellow and green suggesting a deliberate departure from naturalistic representation. This technique lends an unsettling quality to the portrait, hinting at inner turmoil or psychological complexity.
The woman’s features are not idealized; they possess a certain asymmetry and roughness that contribute to a sense of realism. The nose is prominent, the lips thin, and the eyes appear heavy-lidded. These characteristics, combined with her downcast gaze, evoke an impression of quiet dignity rather than conventional beauty.
The background is indistinct, dissolving into the same dark tones as the hair, which serves to isolate the figure and focus attention on her face. A small portion of a white garment is visible at the lower right corner, providing a subtle contrast against the darker hues. The signature, placed in the bottom left corner, appears hastily executed, further reinforcing the impression of spontaneity and immediacy.
Subtly, the portrait seems to explore themes of vulnerability and introspection. The averted gaze suggests an unwillingness to meet the viewer’s eye, implying a sense of reserve or perhaps even shame. The muted color palette and loose brushwork contribute to a feeling of emotional restraint, as if the subject is holding back from fully expressing her feelings. Theres a palpable tension between the sitters apparent fragility and the strength conveyed by her posture and the directness of her presence within the frame.