1958 LArlВsienne Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a portrait of a woman rendered in a style characterized by angularity and expressive brushwork. The subject is positioned centrally against a pale background, which allows for a focus on her features and the intensity of the color palette. Her face is constructed from planes of varying tones – blues, pinks, and grays – creating a fragmented effect that disrupts conventional notions of beauty and realism.
The artist has emphasized certain aspects through distortion. The eyes are large and directly confrontational, conveying an impression of introspection or perhaps melancholy. A prominent nose and sharply defined cheekbones contribute to the overall sense of stylized representation rather than naturalistic depiction. Her hair is arranged in a complex updo, accentuated by a blue headpiece that echoes the cool tones used for her face.
A necklace adorns her neck, adding a touch of ornamentation amidst the otherwise stark presentation. The shoulders and upper torso are suggested with broad strokes of orange and white, providing a contrast to the cooler hues dominating the face and headdress.
Along the left edge of the canvas, a series of numbers is inscribed in what appears to be handwritten script. These numerals seem almost like annotations or a record of dates, adding another layer of complexity to the work. They disrupt the visual flow and introduce an element of personal documentation or perhaps even obsessive recording. The presence of these markings suggests that this might not be solely a portrait but also a study, a process of observation and notation.
The overall effect is one of psychological intensity and formal experimentation. Here we see a deliberate departure from traditional portraiture, prioritizing emotional expression and the exploration of form over accurate representation. The painting seems to explore themes of identity, memory, and the act of creation itself, with the numerical annotations hinting at an underlying narrative or personal significance beyond what is immediately visible.