1937 Portrait de Dora Maar 9 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The portrait presents a womans head and shoulders, rendered in a style characterized by angularity and distortion. The composition is dominated by a frontal view, though the perspective is fractured; features are displaced and reassembled according to principles that prioritize emotional expression over realistic representation.
Here we see an elongated profile, sharply defined against a pale background. The eyes, large and almond-shaped, possess a pronounced asymmetry, one gazing directly forward while the other appears slightly averted. This disparity contributes to a sense of unease or internal conflict. The nose is rendered as a steep, almost triangular form, and the mouth is reduced to a thin line, suggesting restraint or melancholy.
The hair is depicted with short, choppy strokes, creating a textured effect that contrasts with the smoother planes of the face. A single earring adorns the left ear, adding a touch of elegance amidst the overall disquietude. The shoulders are indicated by broad, dark shapes, and the upper torso is defined by layered blocks of color – pink, blue, and black – which flatten the form and deny any sense of three-dimensionality.
The palette is restrained, primarily utilizing muted tones of gray, pink, blue, and black against a light background. This limited range reinforces the somber mood. The brushwork appears deliberate, with clear outlines and defined planes that emphasize the fragmented nature of the subjects representation.
Subtly, the painting conveys an impression of psychological complexity. The disjointed features and unsettling gaze suggest a portrait not merely of physical appearance but also of inner turmoil or emotional vulnerability. The flattening of space and distortion of form contribute to this sense of unease, implying that the depicted individual is being viewed through a lens of anxiety or introspection. The overall effect is one of controlled intensity, hinting at an underlying narrative beyond the surface representation.