1967 Femme nue allongВe Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The drawing presents a reclining female figure rendered in stark black ink on a light background. The composition is dominated by a sense of immediacy and expressive gesture rather than precise anatomical detail. Here we see a woman seated or lying in what appears to be a chair, her body angled towards the viewer with an emphasis on profile.
The artist employed a loose, fluid line throughout, creating a dynamic energy that obscures form as much as it defines it. The figure’s face is characterized by large, almond-shaped eyes and a pronounced nose, contributing to a somewhat stylized or even exaggerated appearance. Her expression seems contemplative, perhaps melancholic, conveyed through the downturned mouth and the slight furrow of her brow.
The body itself is depicted with simplified forms; curves are suggested rather than meticulously outlined. The breasts are indicated by rudimentary shapes, and the limbs appear elongated and slightly distorted. This simplification contributes to a sense of abstraction, moving beyond mere representation towards an exploration of form and emotion.
The chair or support upon which she rests is rendered as a series of vertical lines, creating a visual contrast with the organic curves of the figure. The background remains largely empty, directing focus entirely onto the subject. A faint, gestural line in the lower left corner suggests a landscape element, but it’s indistinct and serves primarily to ground the composition without adding significant detail.
Subtly, theres an air of vulnerability conveyed through the pose and expression. The reclining posture implies relaxation or surrender, while the gaze seems directed inward, suggesting introspection. The starkness of the black ink on white background amplifies this sense of isolation and quiet contemplation. It’s a portrait less concerned with physical likeness than with capturing a fleeting moment of psychological state – a study in repose and perhaps, underlying sadness.