1937 Portrait de Marie-ThВrКse 4 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a female figure rendered in a fragmented and distorted style. The subjects face is bisected vertically; one side displays a conventional profile view with delicate features – a prominent eye gazing directly outward, a softly modeled nose, and subtly pursed lips. This portion of the face is painted in muted tones of grey and pink, creating an impression of vulnerability or introspection. In stark contrast, the other half of the face is rendered as a dark, almost abstract plane, obscuring any recognizable features and suggesting concealment or emotional complexity.
The hair, depicted with broad strokes of yellow and white, cascades down around the figure’s shoulders, adding to the sense of flowing movement despite the overall rigidity of the composition. The eyes are particularly striking; their intense gaze establishes a direct connection with the viewer while simultaneously conveying an underlying melancholy.
Below the face, the subjects upper body is visible, adorned with what appears to be a patterned garment composed of vertical stripes in shades of orange and brown. A dark, textured area occupies the lower portion of the image, possibly representing clothing or a background element, further contributing to the sense of spatial ambiguity.
The color palette is dominated by cool tones – blues and greys – which create an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. The use of contrasting colors – the pale pinks of one side of the face against the dark blacks of the other – heightens the emotional tension within the work.
Subtly, theres a sense of psychological exploration at play. The division of the face suggests a duality or internal conflict within the subject. It could be interpreted as an examination of identity, perception, or the complexities of human emotion. The obscured portion of the face invites speculation about what lies hidden beneath the surface, while the exposed side offers a glimpse into a more vulnerable and introspective state. The overall effect is one of restrained drama and psychological depth, achieved through the artist’s deliberate manipulation of form, color, and perspective.