1938 Buste de femme (Marie-ThВrКse Walter) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The artwork presents a bust portrait of a woman, rendered in a fragmented and stylized manner. The subject is depicted from the chest up, set against a dark, almost monochromatic background that emphasizes her form. Her gaze is directed towards the viewer, conveying an impression of quiet contemplation or perhaps subtle challenge.
Here we see a deliberate deconstruction of traditional portraiture. Facial features are not realistically represented; instead, they are broken down into geometric planes and reassembled in a manner that distorts perspective and creates multiple viewpoints simultaneously. The nose appears as a series of sharp angles, the mouth is simplified to a thin line, and the eyes possess an intense, almost unsettling quality due to their size and placement.
The woman’s hair is depicted with broad strokes of green and yellow, suggesting volume and texture while maintaining the overall fractured aesthetic. She wears what appears to be a hat or head covering adorned with a fruit – possibly an orange – which adds a touch of unexpected detail and visual interest. The clothing consists of a dark turtleneck sweater and a jacket featuring a patterned design in shades of green and red; these patterns contribute to the sense of complexity and visual dynamism.
The artist’s use of color is restrained, primarily employing muted tones with occasional bursts of brighter hues. This limited palette reinforces the focus on form and structure rather than emotional expression through color. The brushwork appears loose and expressive, contributing to a feeling of spontaneity and immediacy.
Subtly, theres an interplay between vulnerability and strength in the portrayal. While the fragmented features might suggest fragility or disarray, the direct gaze and upright posture convey a sense of self-possession. The inclusion of the fruit atop her head could be interpreted as a symbol of abundance or temptation, adding another layer to the portrait’s complexity. Overall, the work explores themes of perception, identity, and the subjective nature of representation through a radical departure from conventional artistic norms.