1917 OProfil dOlga au chignon Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

Here we see a drawing depicting a woman in profile. The artist has chosen to render her with a rapid, almost frantic line quality, suggesting a sense of immediacy and perhaps even agitation. The strokes are dense and overlapping, particularly around the hair and shoulders, creating a textural effect that obscures precise detail.
The subject’s posture is introspective; she gazes downwards, her expression unreadable but hinting at melancholy or contemplation. Her hairstyle – a complex arrangement pulled up into what appears to be a bun or chignon – is rendered with an intricate network of lines, emphasizing its volume and complexity while simultaneously contributing to the overall feeling of nervous energy.
The limited tonal range, achieved solely through variations in line density, reinforces the drawing’s focus on form and gesture rather than light and shadow. The background is minimal, allowing the viewers attention to remain firmly fixed on the figure. This simplicity also contributes to a sense of isolation or solitude surrounding the woman.
The artist seems less interested in creating a perfectly realistic likeness and more concerned with capturing a fleeting moment – an emotional state – through expressive linework. The drawing feels like an intimate glimpse into a private world, hinting at a narrative beyond what is visibly presented. It evokes a sense of vulnerability and quiet intensity.