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

The drawing presents a figure, seemingly female, rendered in a style characterized by fractured planes and geometric simplification. Here we see a portrait where conventional notions of perspective and proportion are disregarded in favor of a fragmented representation. The subjects face is presented in profile and frontal views simultaneously, a hallmark of the artist’s approach to depicting multiple perspectives within a single image.
The figure is adorned with an elaborate hat, its construction mirroring the overall geometric vocabulary of the work. Sharp angles and intersecting lines define both the headwear and the facial features, creating a sense of angularity and fragmentation. The eyes are particularly striking; one rendered in profile, the other facing forward, contributing to the unsettling effect of simultaneous viewpoints.
The body is suggested through overlapping planes and curved forms, hinting at clothing or drapery without providing definitive details. A large, geometric shape dominates the lower portion of the composition, potentially representing a garment or an abstract element related to the figure’s environment. The use of dense cross-hatching creates tonal variation and adds depth to the fragmented forms.
The drawings monochromatic palette reinforces its starkness and emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow within the geometric structure. There is a sense of confinement, as if the subject is trapped within the rigid framework of the composition. This could be interpreted as a visual metaphor for societal constraints or psychological fragmentation. The overall effect is one of intellectual complexity and emotional distance; the figure appears detached and enigmatic, inviting contemplation rather than immediate empathy.

The artist’s deliberate distortion of form suggests an interest in exploring the subjective nature of perception and representation. It moves beyond mere likeness to investigate the underlying structures that shape our understanding of reality.