1925 Рtude de visage fВminin Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The drawing presents a study of a female face, executed in a monochromatic palette with visible charcoal strokes. The subject is depicted in profile, her gaze directed towards the viewers left. A striking element is the abrupt division of the face; one half rendered with relatively smooth lines and subtle shading to suggest volume and form, while the other side is characterized by dense, cross-hatched markings that obscure any sense of three-dimensionality.
The artist’s handling of line is significant. The contours are not consistently defined, contributing to a fragmented quality. The brow ridge is emphasized with a bold, angular stroke, lending an intensity to the expression. The eye on the shaded side appears larger and more expressive than its counterpart, which is almost lost within the dense hatching.
The neck is elongated and slender, terminating in a suggestion of shoulders beneath a simple garment. A horizontal line near the bottom edge defines what seems to be a background plane, though it lacks detail and serves primarily as a visual anchor for the composition.
Subtextually, this drawing appears to explore themes of duality and fragmentation. The stark contrast between the two halves of the face suggests an internal conflict or a fractured identity. It is possible that the artist intended to portray not just a likeness but also a psychological state – a sense of being divided or incomplete. The obscured side could represent hidden aspects of personality, suppressed emotions, or perhaps even a commentary on societal expectations imposed upon women.
The drawing’s unfinished quality, evident in the loose lines and visible charcoal marks, reinforces this impression of incompleteness and invites speculation about the artists process and intentions. It is not merely a portrait but an investigation into the complexities of representation and the elusive nature of identity.