1900 El clam de les verges Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The drawing presents a stark contrast between two figures set against a dense, almost impenetrable background. A woman occupies the foreground, seated in a posture that suggests introspection or melancholy. Her head is turned in profile, her gaze directed away from the viewer, creating an immediate sense of distance and privacy. The drapery she wears clings to her form, revealing the contours of her body while simultaneously obscuring them. This interplay between exposure and concealment contributes to the overall ambiguity of her emotional state.
Behind her stands a male figure, rendered with a more angular and unsettling quality. His posture is rigid, almost spectral, and his face lacks distinct features, contributing to an impression of anonymity or perhaps even menace. The positioning of this figure behind the woman suggests a relationship of power or surveillance; he looms over her, yet remains detached and unapproachable.
The monochromatic palette reinforces the somber mood. The absence of color directs attention towards the interplay of light and shadow, which defines the forms and creates a sense of depth within the composition. The heavy lines used to delineate the figures contribute to their solidity while also imparting a feeling of confinement.
Subtextually, the drawing seems to explore themes of female vulnerability and male dominance. The woman’s averted gaze and passive posture could be interpreted as signs of oppression or resignation. The looming presence of the male figure suggests an imbalance of power, hinting at societal constraints or personal anxieties. The overall effect is one of psychological tension and unease, leaving the viewer to ponder the nature of their relationship and the circumstances that have brought them together in this unsettling tableau. The artist’s signature appears discreetly in the lower right corner, a subtle acknowledgement of authorship within this scene of quiet drama.