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

Here we observe a stark depiction of profound distress rendered in monochrome drawing. The central figure is a woman, her face contorted in an expression of intense sorrow. Tears stream from enlarged eyes, delineated with sharp lines that emphasize their exaggerated size and the volume of weeping. These tears are not merely suggested; they appear as tangible strands descending from the lower eyelids, adding to the palpable sense of anguish.
The mouth is agape, revealing a set of teeth clenched in what appears to be a silent scream or sob. A handkerchief is pressed against her face, partially obscuring the nose and cheekbone, yet failing to absorb the outpouring grief. The texture of the fabric is indicated by dense cross-hatching, creating a visual contrast with the smoother rendering of the skin.
The artist’s use of line is particularly noteworthy. Jagged, erratic strokes define the contours of the face, contributing to the overall feeling of fragmentation and emotional turmoil. Theres an intentional distortion of facial features; the nose appears flattened, the eyes disproportionately large, all serving to amplify the intensity of the emotion conveyed.
The background is rendered with a similarly agitated hand, consisting of dense, parallel lines that create a sense of claustrophobia and unease. The lack of color further intensifies the somber mood, directing focus solely on the raw emotional state of the subject.
Subtextually, this drawing seems to explore themes of suffering, loss, and perhaps even oppression. The woman’s grief transcends personal sorrow; it suggests a broader sense of collective pain or trauma. The exaggerated features and distorted perspective hint at an experience that is overwhelming and disorienting. Its possible the work intends to evoke empathy in the viewer, prompting reflection on the nature of human suffering and its visual representation.