1938 Buste de femme (Dora Maar) 3 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The artwork presents a bust-length portrait of a woman rendered in grayscale, employing a fragmented and angular style. The subject is positioned against a dark, undefined background that contributes to a sense of isolation and focuses attention on the figure itself.
Here we see a deliberate distortion of facial features; the eyes are disproportionately large and placed asymmetrically, one gazing directly outward while the other appears averted or shadowed. The nose is reduced to a sharp, angular plane, and the mouth is depicted with an ambiguous expression – perhaps melancholy or resignation. A prominent hat sits atop her head, its structure composed of geometric shapes that further disrupt conventional notions of form. This hat isnt merely decorative; it seems to enclose and partially obscure the woman’s face, suggesting a sense of confinement or protection.
The artist has employed a limited tonal range, relying heavily on contrasts between light and shadow to define planes and create depth. The treatment of the neck and shoulders is similarly stylized, with simplified forms that emphasize the subjects contours rather than anatomical accuracy. Theres an intentional roughness in the application of paint, contributing to a sense of immediacy and emotional intensity.
Subtly, the work conveys a feeling of psychological complexity. The fragmented form and unsettling gaze suggest an internal struggle or a fractured identity. The hat could be interpreted as a symbol of societal expectations or personal burdens weighing upon the subject. The grayscale palette reinforces this somber mood, evoking feelings of introspection and perhaps even despair. While the portrait is ostensibly of a woman, it transcends mere representation to become an exploration of human vulnerability and the complexities of inner experience. The date inscribed in the lower right corner – 1938 – hints at a period marked by political turmoil and personal upheaval, which may have influenced the artists emotional response and artistic choices.