1971 Nu assis Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a seated female figure rendered in a fragmented and angular style. The artist has employed a limited palette dominated by earthy tones – ochre, brown, gray – interspersed with a striking blue rectangle that defines the garment worn by the subject. This color contrast immediately draws attention to the torso and creates a focal point within the overall design.
Here we see a deliberate distortion of anatomical features. The face is presented in profile and frontal views simultaneously, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity and challenging conventional notions of representation. One eye is prominently displayed, large and almond-shaped, while the other is suggested through an abstracted outline. This duality contributes to a feeling of psychological complexity or perhaps even disorientation.
The figure’s posture appears stiff and somewhat awkward; the body seems constructed from geometric planes rather than flowing curves. The arms are positioned rigidly at the sides, further emphasizing this sense of constraint. The artist has used broad brushstrokes and visible texture, which contribute to a raw and immediate quality in the work. This technique also reinforces the impression that the figure is not being depicted realistically but rather as an assemblage of forms.
The background appears minimal, consisting primarily of muted tones that allow the figure to dominate the visual space. A geometric shape – a rectangle with a circular element – is visible on the left side, adding another layer of abstraction and potentially suggesting architectural or symbolic elements beyond the immediate subject matter.
Subtly, there is an underlying tension between the fragmented representation and the implied presence of a human form. The painting seems to explore themes of identity, perception, and the limitations of visual language. It suggests that the artist is less interested in portraying a likeness than in deconstructing the very notion of what it means to represent a person visually. The blue rectangle could be interpreted as a symbol of confinement or perhaps an attempt at imposing order onto a chaotic reality. Overall, the work evokes a sense of introspection and invites contemplation on the nature of representation itself.