1900 Midinette de Paris Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The pastel drawing presents a solitary female figure in profile, positioned slightly left of center against a warm, ochre-toned background. She is dressed in attire suggestive of early twentieth-century Parisian working-class fashion; a wide-brimmed hat sits atop her head, casting a shadow across the upper portion of her face, obscuring much of her features. The garment she wears consists of a dark purple blouse and a voluminous skirt rendered in shades of orange and pink, creating a striking contrast against the muted backdrop.
The woman carries a woven basket suspended from her arm, its contents indistinct but contributing to an impression of daily labor or market activity. Her posture is slightly stooped, hinting at fatigue or the weight of her burden. The artist’s use of pastel allows for a vibrant color palette and loose, expressive lines that define form rather than meticulously detailing it. This approach lends the work a sense of immediacy and spontaneity.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of a woman engaged in everyday tasks, the drawing seems to explore themes of urban life and social class. The figure’s clothing, while colorful, also suggests practicality and restraint, indicating a position within the working population. The obscured face invites speculation about her identity and experiences; she becomes less an individual portrait and more a representation of a demographic – a young woman navigating the complexities of city existence.
The limited background and focus on the figure’s silhouette contribute to a feeling of isolation or anonymity, perhaps reflecting the impersonal nature of urban environments. The overall effect is one of quiet observation, capturing a fleeting moment in time and offering a glimpse into the lives of those who populated early twentieth-century Paris.