1925 TИte de femme Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The print presents a portrait study of a woman, rendered in stark black and white with a pronounced textural quality. The composition is tightly framed, focusing almost exclusively on the subjects head and upper shoulders. A square border defines the image space, contributing to a sense of confinement or isolation.
Here we see a face constructed from angular planes and sharp lines, characteristic of a Cubist aesthetic. Facial features are simplified and somewhat abstracted; the eyes are large and prominent, conveying an intensity that is difficult to interpret definitively – perhaps melancholy, introspection, or even apprehension. The nose is reduced to a series of intersecting lines, while the mouth is suggested rather than explicitly depicted.
The hair flows down on one side of the face in thick, striated strands, created through dense parallel hatching. This technique not only defines the hairstyle but also contributes significantly to the print’s overall texture and visual weight. The artist employed a similar cross-hatching approach across much of the facial surface, creating a granular effect that obscures detail and adds an element of ambiguity.
The background is treated with a lighter application of lines, suggesting a subtle recession from the figure. This contrast in tonal density emphasizes the subjects presence within the confined space. The signature at the bottom right corner, rendered in a cursive script, provides a personal touch while also anchoring the work within a specific artistic context.
Subtly, there is an impression of vulnerability conveyed through the simplified features and the somewhat flattened perspective. The lack of overt emotional expression allows for multiple interpretations; the viewer is invited to project their own understanding onto the subject’s face. The prints monochromatic palette reinforces this sense of introspection and quiet contemplation, suggesting a psychological portrait rather than a straightforward representation of physical appearance.