Headpiece for the magazine ‘Pèl i Ploma’ Ramon Casas i Carbo (1866-1932)

The drawing presents a woman absorbed in reading material, presumably a magazine given the prominent title displayed above her head: Pel i Ploma. The composition is vertically oriented and tightly cropped, focusing almost entirely on the figure and the immediate surroundings of the reading experience.
Here we see the subject positioned at a table, leaning forward with an air of intense concentration. Her posture suggests a deep engagement with the text; she rests her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed downwards towards the open pages. The artist has rendered her features in a simplified manner, emphasizing the curve of her cheek and the slight downward tilt of her mouth, which conveys a sense of quiet contemplation or perhaps even mild melancholy. Her hair is styled in an elaborate updo, adding a touch of elegance to the scene.
The table itself is cluttered with papers and what appears to be a palette, hinting at a creative environment. The presence of these artistic tools suggests that the woman may herself be involved in some form of artistic endeavor, potentially connected to the magazine shes reading. This could imply a shared sensibility or an audience for her own work.
The title Pel i Ploma – which translates roughly as “Fur and Feather” – is rendered in bold, stylized lettering that dominates the upper portion of the image. The choice of this phrase introduces a layer of symbolic complexity. It might allude to themes of nature, beauty, or perhaps even the delicate balance between opposing forces. Given the context of a magazine, it could also signify a focus on fashion, animal imagery, or natural history.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette and loose, expressive linework contribute to its overall mood of intimacy and introspection. The artist has employed hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create tonal variations and suggest form, while the lack of color directs attention towards the subjects expression and the texture of the paper itself. The work conveys a sense of quiet domesticity combined with an intellectual curiosity, portraying a moment of private engagement within a larger cultural context.