1920 Femme au chapeau assise dans un fauteuil Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The drawing presents a seated figure within a chair, rendered in a linear style with evident emphasis on contour and form. The subject is a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat adorned with floral motifs. Her hair cascades down her shoulders, contributing to an overall impression of languidness or perhaps melancholy. She sits with her legs crossed, hands resting gently upon the fabric of her garment.
The chair itself appears substantial and somewhat imposing, its structure delineated through bold lines that mirror the figure’s posture. The artist has employed a technique that prioritizes outlining over shading, creating a stark contrast between light and shadow which flattens the perspective and contributes to an almost schematic quality. This approach minimizes detail and focuses attention on the essential shapes of the subject and her surroundings.
The womans expression is difficult to discern precisely; however, there’s a sense of introspection or quiet contemplation conveyed through the downward cast of her gaze. The bare feet introduce an element of informality and vulnerability, contrasting with the formality suggested by the hat and chair.
Subtly, the drawing seems to explore themes of confinement and observation. The chair acts as both a support and a barrier, suggesting a state of being contained or observed. The woman’s posture and expression hint at an internal world, separate from her immediate environment. Theres a deliberate simplicity in the composition that invites contemplation about identity, presence, and the nature of representation itself. The lack of background detail further isolates the figure, intensifying the focus on her psychological state.