1901 Courtisane Au Collier De Gemmes Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The painting depicts a woman with a large, flamboyant hat adorned with yellow and black plumes. She has reddish-blonde hair styled in soft curls around her face. Her skin is fair, with blueish tones around her eyes and neck, and her lips are painted in a subtle coral hue. She wears a striking necklace of blue and what appear to be gemstone-like elements, contrasting with her bare shoulders and chest, which are painted in pale, almost luminous white. Her right arm is bent, resting on a surface, and her left arm is also bent, with her hand gently placed on her lap or chest. She wears rings on her fingers, one of which has a prominent yellowish stone.

The subtexts of the painting can be interpreted in several ways, considering the title Courtesan with a Gem Necklace and the artistic style of Picassos Blue Period.

Here are some possible subtexts:

• Vanity and Materialism: The elaborate hat and the prominent, jewel-like necklace suggest a focus on ornamentation and material wealth, potentially pointing to the courtesans profession and the societal expectations associated with it. The rings on her fingers further emphasize this aspect.
• Melancholy and Loneliness: The predominantly blue color palette is characteristic of Picassos Blue Period, which is often associated with themes of poverty, despair, and melancholy. While the woman is adorned, her gaze seems somewhat distant and introspective, hinting at a possible inner sadness or isolation beneath the surface glamour.
• Social Commentary: The painting could be a commentary on the lives of women in certain social strata during that era. The courtesan, while outwardly appearing alluring and adorned, might also be perceived as a figure of vulnerability or as a product of societal circumstances.
• Fragility of Beauty and Wealth: The delicate rendering of her skin and the opulent accessories, set against the somber blue, could imply the transient nature of beauty and material possessions.
• Psychological Portrait: Picasso was deeply interested in capturing the psychological state of his subjects. The slightly detached expression and blue tones might suggest an internal world that is more complex and somber than her outward appearance.

Overall, the painting presents a compelling portrait that juxtaposes outward signs of adornment and allure with an underlying sense of melancholy, characteristic of Picassos early work.