1904 Femme Е la corneille II Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The composition presents a figure, seemingly female, in close proximity to a raven. The background is dominated by a saturated violet hue, which creates a sense of enclosure and intensifies the focus on the central subjects. The womans skin tones are rendered in ochre and muted browns, contrasting with the dark plumage of the bird. Her face exhibits an expression that is difficult to definitively interpret; it could be read as melancholy, resignation, or perhaps even a form of quiet contemplation. Eyes are downcast, contributing to this ambiguity.
The artist placed the raven directly against the woman’s cheek and hands, establishing a physical intimacy between them. The birds dark mass obscures part of her face, suggesting an element of concealment or burden. Her hands gently cradle the raven’s head, indicating a gesture that is both protective and perhaps slightly hesitant.
The figure’s body is simplified in form, with broad planes of color defining the shoulders and torso. This reduction in detail contributes to a sense of timelessness and universality. The artist employed a limited palette, which reinforces the paintings somber mood. A subtle layering of colors on the lower portion of the canvas suggests an underlying texture or ground, adding depth without distracting from the primary subjects.
Subtextually, the pairing of woman and raven evokes several possible interpretations. Ravens are frequently associated with death, prophecy, and ill omen in various cultural traditions. Their presence alongside the female figure could symbolize a confrontation with mortality, a premonition of hardship, or perhaps even an acceptance of fate. The woman’s posture suggests vulnerability but also resilience; she does not recoil from the ravens proximity, implying a complex relationship that transcends simple fear. It is possible to interpret this as a symbolic representation of human connection to darker aspects of existence, or a meditation on themes of loss and solace.