1906 La coiffure2 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

Here we see a figure study, rendered in a limited palette of earthy tones – primarily ochre, brown, and touches of red – applied with a visible, almost scratchy quality. The subject is a female figure, depicted from the chest up, posed in a manner suggesting introspection or contemplation. Her hand rests against her cheek, drawing attention to her face while simultaneously creating a barrier between herself and the viewer.
The artist’s approach prioritizes form over precise representation. Facial features are simplified, almost mask-like, with large eyes that convey an ambiguous emotional state – perhaps melancholy, perhaps simply absorbed in thought. The hair is rendered as thick braids, tightly coiled against her head, adding to the overall sense of contained energy.
The figure’s body is similarly stylized; anatomical accuracy takes a backseat to the exploration of volume and mass. The breasts are depicted with a frankness that avoids idealization, contributing to an atmosphere of unvarnished observation. Theres a deliberate roughness in the application of paint, which lends a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to the work.
The background is largely undefined, allowing the figure to dominate the composition. This lack of context further emphasizes her internal state, suggesting a moment captured outside of narrative or specific setting. The overall effect is one of quiet intensity – a study not merely of physical form but also of psychological presence. It’s a portrait that eschews sentimentality in favor of a direct and somewhat unsettling engagement with the subjects inner world.