1939 Femme lisant Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a solitary figure seated in what appears to be a chair or on a simple bench. The subject is rendered with a deliberate simplification of form, characteristic of a Cubist approach. Facial features are reduced to essential planes; the eyes are suggested by dark indentations, and the nose is barely discernible, contributing to an overall sense of anonymity. A mass of hair frames the face, obscuring much of the forehead and adding to the figure’s withdrawn quality.
The woman holds a small object – likely a book or tablet – close to her chest, as if guarding it. Her posture suggests absorption, perhaps even a degree of melancholy. The chair itself is constructed from stark, dark lines, its form equally abstracted and contributing to the paintings overall sense of isolation.
A striking element is the intense color palette. A fiery red dominates the background, creating an atmosphere of emotional intensity or potential threat. This vibrant hue contrasts sharply with the muted tones used for the figure’s clothing – a blue skirt and a cream-colored top – and skin. The limited range of colors reinforces the sense of confinement and introspection.
The paintings subtexts are complex. The act of reading, typically associated with knowledge and escape, is presented within a context of visual austerity and emotional restraint. The figure’s isolation might be interpreted as a commentary on alienation or the individual’s struggle for meaning in times of upheaval. Given the year of creation (1939), the work could also be seen as an indirect reflection of the anxieties surrounding the impending war, with the womans solitary reading representing a retreat into private thought and solace amidst external chaos. The deliberate flattening of perspective and distortion of form further contribute to this feeling of unease and psychological depth.