1936 Portrait de femme de profil Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a figure rendered in profile, immediately striking for its fragmented and abstracted form. The subject appears female, though conventional representational cues are largely absent. Instead, geometric shapes – triangles, rectangles, and planes – construct the visage and body, disrupting any sense of naturalistic depiction.
Here we see a deliberate dismantling of perspective; features are not presented as they would appear to the eye but rather as facets viewed from multiple angles simultaneously. The nose is reduced to a sharp, angular wedge, while the eyes are suggested by dark, elliptical voids that convey an impression of melancholy or introspection. The mouth is barely discernible, contributing to a sense of emotional detachment.
The color palette is restrained yet impactful. Predominantly cool tones – greens, blues, and purples – dominate, creating a somber atmosphere. Accents of red and white provide stark contrast, drawing attention to specific areas like the collar and portions of the garment. The brushwork appears rapid and expressive, with visible strokes adding texture and dynamism to the surface.
The figure is clothed in what seems to be a structured dress or jacket, its pattern composed of vertical stripes that further contribute to the sense of deconstruction and geometric order. A hat obscures part of the head, adding an element of mystery and formality. The background is rendered as a muted green plane, devoid of detail, which serves to isolate the figure and intensify its presence.
Subtly embedded within the upper portion of the composition are what appear to be notations or markings – a series of letters and numbers scrawled across the surface. These additions suggest an element of spontaneity and perhaps even a record of the artists thought process during creation, hinting at a more complex relationship between intention and execution.
The overall effect is one of psychological complexity and formal innovation. The work seems to explore themes of identity, perception, and the limitations of representation, challenging conventional notions of portraiture and inviting contemplation on the nature of seeing itself.