1937 La femme qui pleure 1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The artwork presents a female figure in profile, rendered with a stark and unsettling emotional intensity. The composition is dominated by a sense of profound sorrow, conveyed through exaggerated features and a fragmented approach to form.
Here we see the face divided into planes, creating a disorienting effect that disrupts any conventional representation of beauty or serenity. One side of the face appears relatively intact, with large, heavily-lashed eyes staring directly outward. These eyes are rendered in an unusual yellow hue, which amplifies their unsettling quality and suggests a heightened state of emotional distress. The other side of the face is fractured, seemingly pushed back into the picture plane, creating a sense of internal turmoil and psychological fragmentation.
The mouth is dramatically open, revealing teeth and contributing to the overall impression of anguish. A single, prominent tear descends from the eye on the intact side of the face, drawn as a thin, dark line that bisects the fragmented portion of the visage. This detail emphasizes the depth of the figure’s suffering and serves as a visual metaphor for grief.
The hair is depicted in thick, swirling strokes, adding to the sense of movement and unrest. The color palette is muted, primarily consisting of grays, blacks, and whites, with touches of yellow and red that punctuate the scene and draw attention to key elements like the eyes and mouth. A subtle wash of yellow appears at the bottom of the composition, providing a faint contrast against the darker tones above.
The artist’s choice to depict the figure in profile allows for an exploration of emotional vulnerability. The fragmented nature of the face suggests a breakdown or shattering of identity, possibly reflecting experiences of trauma or profound loss. The overall effect is one of intense psychological drama and a poignant portrayal of human suffering.