1941 Femme assise dans un fauteuil 5 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

Here we observe a figure seated in a chair, rendered through a fractured and angular style. The composition is dominated by geometric planes that define both the sitter and her surroundings. A sense of stillness pervades the scene; the woman appears rigid, almost sculpted into her position.
The artist has employed a limited palette – primarily blues, greens, blacks, and beige – which contributes to a somber and restrained atmosphere. The color choices are not naturalistic but serve instead to emphasize the fragmented nature of form. The face is particularly striking: eyes are large and intensely focused, set within a simplified structure that conveys an unsettling directness. A single, stylized flower adorns her head, offering a small point of visual relief against the otherwise stark arrangement.
The chair itself is equally deconstructed, its lines sharp and uncompromising. It appears less as a comfortable seat and more as another element in the overall geometric construct. The sitter’s hands are clasped tightly in her lap, suggesting either restraint or anxiety.
Subtleties within the work hint at deeper meanings. The womans posture, combined with the intense gaze, might suggest an internal struggle or a sense of quiet defiance. The fragmented form could be interpreted as a representation of psychological fragmentation or displacement – a feeling perhaps reflective of societal upheaval and uncertainty. The flower, while seemingly decorative, may also symbolize fragility or a yearning for beauty amidst hardship.
The overall effect is one of controlled tension and emotional complexity. The artist has not sought to depict a realistic portrait but rather to convey an impression – a psychological state – through the manipulation of form and color.