1967 Nu de face, dans lherbe Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a figure reclining within a landscape, rendered in a style characterized by angular forms and a limited palette dominated by blues, yellows, and grays. The subjects face is turned towards the viewer, exhibiting large, almond-shaped eyes that convey an expression of quiet introspection or perhaps melancholy. A cascade of dark hair frames the face, its texture suggested through broad, gestural brushstrokes.
The body is depicted in a simplified manner, with planes and angles replacing naturalistic curves. The limbs appear disjointed, contributing to a sense of fragmentation and abstraction. Below the head, the torso merges into what appears to be a pile of folded fabric or perhaps another figure, blurring the boundaries between individual forms. This ambiguity contributes to an overall feeling of dreamlike unreality.
The background is composed of loosely applied brushstrokes that evoke a grassy field under a sky suffused with light. The vegetation is suggested through vertical strokes of green and yellow, adding depth without providing precise detail. A sense of enclosure is created by the cropped edges of the composition, which focus attention on the central figure.
The color choices are significant. The cool blues and grays contribute to a somber mood, while the touches of yellow introduce a subtle warmth that prevents the work from becoming entirely bleak. The application of paint itself – thick and textured – adds another layer of visual interest, emphasizing the artist’s physical engagement with the canvas.
Subtly, theres an exploration of identity and vulnerability. The figure’s gaze is direct yet detached, suggesting a complex emotional state. The fragmented body could be interpreted as a representation of psychological fragmentation or a questioning of conventional notions of beauty and form. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting the viewer to consider themes of isolation, introspection, and the elusive nature of human experience.