1919 Femme Е la cruche Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The drawing presents a figure composed with stark linearity and a deliberate flattening of perspective. Here we observe a woman standing in profile, yet her face is rendered frontally, creating a disconcerting visual dissonance. The head appears disproportionately large compared to the body, further contributing to this sense of distortion. A veil or scarf drapes from the top of her head, obscuring much of her hairline and adding an element of mystery or concealment.
The artist has employed dense hatching throughout the composition, creating a textural effect that emphasizes the contours of the figure and the volume of the object she carries. This vessel, seemingly a large pitcher or jug, is held close to her body, its form echoing the curves of her own physique. The placement of the jar suggests an intimate connection between woman and object; it’s not merely carried but almost integrated into her being.
The figures posture is rigid and formal, lacking any sense of relaxed ease. Her hands are positioned in a manner that seems both functional (holding the vessel) and slightly awkward. The feet are indicated with minimal detail, grounding the composition while simultaneously suggesting a lack of movement or progression.
Subtleties within the drawing hint at deeper meanings. The frontal depiction of the face, despite the profile stance, could be interpreted as an attempt to confront the viewer directly, challenging conventional notions of female representation. The veil introduces themes of modesty, concealment, and perhaps even cultural identity. The vessel itself might symbolize sustenance, fertility, or a burden carried through life.
The overall effect is one of controlled tension – a deliberate disruption of naturalistic forms that invites contemplation on themes of identity, femininity, and the relationship between the individual and their surroundings. The drawing’s monochromatic palette reinforces its starkness and emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow, contributing to a mood of quiet introspection.