1909 TИte de femme (Fernande Olivier)3 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The portrait presents a female subject rendered in a fragmented and angular style. The face is not depicted realistically; instead, its constructed from geometric planes that intersect and overlap, creating a sense of instability and visual complexity. A prominent vertical plane bisects the composition, dividing the features into distinct sections while simultaneously suggesting an underlying unity.
The artist employed a limited palette dominated by muted greens, browns, and blacks, contributing to a somber and introspective mood. The tonal range is relatively narrow, with subtle gradations that define the planes and create a sense of depth despite the flattened perspective. The surface texture appears rough, likely due to the application of paint in thick layers or impasto, which adds physicality to the image.
The subject’s gaze is direct yet ambiguous; her eyes are large and expressive but lack a clear emotional register. This ambiguity contributes to an overall sense of detachment and psychological complexity. The mouth is rendered as a sharp, triangular form, suggesting a restrained expression.
Beyond the surface representation, the work seems to explore themes of perception and identity. The fractured nature of the face could be interpreted as a visual metaphor for the fragmented experience of selfhood or the instability of human relationships. The geometric simplification reduces the subject to essential forms, questioning conventional notions of beauty and portraiture. Theres an underlying tension between the attempt at representation and the deliberate distortion of reality, inviting viewers to engage with the work on multiple levels – as a likeness, a formal study, and a psychological exploration.

The signature in the lower left corner is visible, adding a layer of authorship and anchoring the image within a specific artistic context.