1939 Femme assise au chapeau 3 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a frontal portrait of a woman, rendered in a style characterized by fractured planes and distorted features. The figure is positioned centrally against a pale, textured background that contributes to a sense of flatness and immediacy. A large, elaborate hat dominates the upper portion of the image, its geometric forms echoing and amplifying the fragmentation present in the face itself.
The artist employed a limited palette, primarily consisting of muted greens, browns, blacks, and creams. These colors are applied with visible brushstrokes, adding to the painting’s tactile quality. The womans skin tones are rendered through a series of overlapping planes, creating an effect of depth despite the overall lack of perspective. Her eyes, though asymmetrical in placement, possess a directness that engages the viewer. A prominent nose and sharply defined cheekbones further accentuate the angularity of her features.
The clothing appears simplified, with a dark upper garment contrasting against a lighter area around the neck and shoulders. The treatment of these elements reinforces the overall emphasis on geometric shapes and planes rather than realistic representation.
Subtly, there is an air of melancholy conveyed through the woman’s expression. While not overtly sorrowful, her gaze seems introspective, perhaps even burdened. The elaborate hat, while visually striking, could be interpreted as a symbolic shield or mask, suggesting a desire to conceal vulnerability. The fractured nature of the face might allude to a sense of psychological fragmentation or internal conflict.
The painting’s formal qualities – the flattened space, the angularity, and the limited color range – contribute to an atmosphere that is both unsettling and compelling. It avoids sentimentality, instead presenting a complex portrait of a woman whose inner life remains enigmatic.