1951 Portrait de madame HВlКne Parmelin sur fond vert Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a seated figure against a verdant backdrop. The subject is rendered in a style characterized by angularity and simplification, departing from naturalistic representation. Her face displays large, almond-shaped eyes that gaze slightly downward, conveying an impression of introspection or perhaps melancholy. A pronounced nose and thin lips contribute to the overall sense of stylized features.
The hair cascades around her head and shoulders in thick, undulating strands of reddish-brown, creating a visual frame for the face while also adding dynamism to the composition. The figure is clothed in a dark green garment with blue trousers, the fabric appearing somewhat stiff and geometrically defined. Her legs are drawn with elongated limbs and disproportionately large feet, further emphasizing the artist’s deliberate distortion of anatomical accuracy.
The background consists of vertical lines in varying shades of green, creating an abstract texture that contrasts with the figures more solid form. A horizontal band of red appears at the bottom edge, acting as a visual anchor for the composition and introducing a contrasting color element.
Subtleties within the work suggest a complex interplay between representation and abstraction. The deliberate exaggeration of certain features – the eyes, the hair, the feet – could be interpreted as an exploration of psychological states or a commentary on societal expectations surrounding female identity. The flattened perspective and simplified forms contribute to a sense of detachment, suggesting that the portrait is less concerned with capturing a likeness than with conveying an emotional or symbolic essence. The color palette, dominated by greens and blues punctuated by red, evokes a mood of quiet contemplation tinged with underlying tension. Overall, the painting conveys a feeling of restrained emotion and intellectual inquiry through its unconventional approach to figuration.