1939 TИte de femme 2 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

Here we observe a portrait study rendered in oil paint on canvas. The composition is dominated by a female head presented in profile and simultaneously frontally, characteristic of a fractured perspective. A dark brown outline defines the contours of the face and hair, creating a stark boundary against the pale yellow background. Within this frame, the artist has employed a limited palette – primarily shades of cream, blue, and brown – to depict the features.
The most striking element is the use of blue pigment applied in broad strokes across the cheek and nose, lending an unsettling quality to the visage. The eyes are rendered as distinct ovals, one positioned higher than the other, contributing to a sense of asymmetry and disorientation. A prominent brow line arches above each eye, suggesting a contemplative or perhaps melancholic expression. The mouth is depicted with a slight curve, hinting at a subtle smile that does not quite reach the eyes.
The artist’s brushwork appears deliberate yet gestural; the paint application is visible, adding texture and dynamism to the surface. This technique contributes to an overall impression of immediacy and emotional intensity. The date 7.1.39 inscribed in the lower left corner provides a specific temporal context for the work.
Subtextually, the painting seems to explore themes of identity and perception. The fragmented representation challenges conventional notions of beauty and realism, suggesting a psychological portrait rather than a straightforward likeness. The unsettling use of color and the distorted perspective may reflect an internal state of anxiety or emotional turmoil. The combination of profile and frontal views could be interpreted as a desire to reveal multiple facets of personality simultaneously, hinting at complexity and hidden depths. The work’s starkness and limited palette contribute to a feeling of isolation and introspection, inviting viewers to contemplate the subjects inner world.