1901 Femme souriante au chapeau Е plumes (Buste de femme souriante) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

Here we observe a portrait of a woman, presented as a bust against a backdrop of vibrant green foliage. The subject is positioned in profile, her gaze directed towards the viewer with a pronounced smile that dominates the composition. She wears an elaborate hat adorned with feathers and what appears to be dark netting, which casts shadows across her face and contributes to a sense of theatricality.
The artist employed a loose, impressionistic brushstroke throughout the work. The application of paint is rapid and textured, particularly evident in the rendering of the foliage behind the figure and the folds of her clothing. This technique lends an air of spontaneity and immediacy to the scene, suggesting a fleeting moment captured on canvas. The color palette is relatively restrained; greens and blues dominate, punctuated by the lighter tones of the woman’s blouse and the yellow accents within her hat.
The womans attire suggests a certain social standing – the delicate lace of her blouse and the opulent hat imply leisure and affluence. Her smile, while seemingly genuine, possesses an element of artifice; it is a carefully constructed expression that could be interpreted as both inviting and slightly detached. The dark background serves to isolate the figure, drawing attention to her presence and emphasizing her status as the central subject.
Subtly, there’s a sense of confinement within the composition. While the foliage suggests an outdoor setting, the cropped view and the womans proximity to the picture plane create a feeling of being observed rather than freely participating in the environment. The overall effect is one of studied elegance combined with a hint of melancholy or introspection beneath the surface of her smile.