1938 Maya Е la poupВe et au cheval Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a figure holding what appears to be a child and a toy. The central subject is dominated by a woman-like form with stylized features characteristic of Cubist aesthetics. Her face, rendered in muted blues and greens, displays an expression that oscillates between melancholy and stoicism; the eyes are large and somewhat vacant, contributing to this ambiguous emotional state. Green pigtails adorned with bows frame her face, adding a touch of childlike innocence that contrasts with the overall somber tone.
The child nestled against her chest is similarly stylized, its features simplified and rendered in warm ochre tones. The proximity suggests intimacy and protection, yet the child’s posture – leaning heavily into the figure – implies dependence or perhaps distress.
Held within the womans arms is a toy giraffe, fragmented and abstracted. Its form is constructed from angular planes of yellow, black, and white, echoing the fractured nature of the human figures. The giraffe’s presence introduces an element of playfulness, but its deconstructed appearance reinforces the sense of fragmentation that pervades the entire work.
The background is a flat, monochromatic expanse of blue-green, devoid of spatial depth or detail. This lack of context further isolates the figures and intensifies their emotional weight. The limited palette – primarily blues, greens, yellows, and blacks – contributes to the painting’s subdued atmosphere.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of maternal protection, childhood vulnerability, and perhaps a sense of displacement or loss. The fragmented forms suggest a breakdown of traditional representation, possibly reflecting anxieties about societal upheaval or personal trauma. The juxtaposition of innocence (the bows in her hair, the child) with an underlying sadness hints at a complex emotional landscape. The toy giraffe, rendered as a fractured object, could symbolize broken dreams or lost joy. Overall, the painting conveys a sense of quiet desperation and profound introspection, inviting contemplation on the fragility of human connection amidst uncertainty.