1937 Portrait de Dora Maar 8 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The portrait presents a woman rendered in a style characterized by fractured planes and distorted features, typical of Cubist explorations. The subjects face is bisected vertically; one side displays a relatively conventional representation with defined eyebrows, a prominent nose, and full lips, while the other exhibits a flattened profile, emphasizing the angularity of the cheekbone and jawline. This division isn’t merely aesthetic; it suggests an internal duality or perhaps a psychological fragmentation.
The background is a warm yellow ochre, applied in broad strokes that contribute to a sense of flatness and immediacy. The color choice contrasts with the cool tones used for the womans skin and clothing, further isolating her figure within the composition. Her hair, depicted as dark, unruly strands, frames her face and adds to the overall feeling of emotional intensity.
The artist placed the subject in a three-quarter pose, which allows for a degree of depth while maintaining a directness in her gaze. The eyes, large and intensely focused, convey a sense of melancholy or perhaps guarded introspection. Her attire consists of a dark jacket over what appears to be a blouse with a pink and teal scarf, adding a touch of formality to the otherwise unsettling portrayal.
Subtly, theres an element of theatricality in the presentation. The stark contrast between the two sides of her face, coupled with the intense gaze, suggests a performance or a carefully constructed persona. One might interpret this as a commentary on identity and representation, questioning the stability of selfhood. The fractured nature of the image could also allude to emotional turmoil or psychological complexity, hinting at an underlying vulnerability beneath a seemingly stoic exterior. The overall effect is one of unsettling beauty – a portrait that simultaneously captivates and disturbs through its unconventional rendering and implied narrative depth.