1907 Nu de dos aux bras levВs (Рtude pour Les Demoiselles dAvinyв) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The drawing presents a female figure viewed from behind, her arms raised above her head. The composition is stark and economical; the subject dominates the rectangular format, leaving little space for background detail. The artist employed charcoal on paper, evident in the grainy texture and range of tonal values achieved through varying pressure.
Here we see an emphasis on angularity and fragmentation. The figure’s form isnt rendered with smooth curves or naturalistic proportions. Instead, lines are sharp, creating a sense of geometric deconstruction. The spine is depicted as a series of distinct planes, the buttocks appear almost block-like, and the limbs are elongated and simplified. This approach moves away from traditional representations of the human body, prioritizing an exploration of form over realistic depiction.
The raised arms contribute to the overall dynamism of the piece. They draw attention to the back muscles and create a sense of tension or perhaps even vulnerability in the posture. The head is minimally defined, appearing as a roughly sketched oval, further emphasizing the focus on the torso and lower body.
Subtly, there’s an element of abstraction at play. While recognizable as a human form, the figures identity remains elusive. This lack of specificity suggests a move towards representing not a particular individual but rather the essence or archetype of femininity. The drawing seems to be less about portraying beauty in a conventional sense and more about dissecting and reassembling the body into its constituent shapes.
The rough quality of the charcoal lends an immediacy to the work, suggesting it might be a study or preparatory sketch for a larger project. It conveys a sense of experimentation and exploration, hinting at a process of visual inquiry rather than a finished product. The overall effect is one of deliberate distortion and simplification, pointing towards a radical departure from established artistic conventions.