1938 Femme assise Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a seated figure, rendered in a fragmented and angular style. The subject appears to be a woman, though her features are abstracted and reassembled into geometric planes. Her face is dominated by large, almond-shaped eyes that convey an unsettling intensity. A prominent nose and sharply defined lips contribute to the overall sense of distortion.
The artist employed a limited palette primarily consisting of yellows, blues, reds, and browns. These colors are applied in flat, unmodulated areas, further emphasizing the two-dimensional quality of the work. The background is composed of parallel lines that create a sense of depth while simultaneously flattening the space. This interplay between perspective and surface contributes to the painting’s disorienting effect.
The figures posture suggests a certain rigidity; she sits upright on what appears to be a chair, its form also simplified into geometric shapes. The chair’s backrest is rendered with a similar angularity as the woman’s face, blurring the distinction between subject and environment.
Subtly, there is an air of melancholy conveyed through the figures expression and posture. The disjointed nature of her features suggests a psychological fragmentation or emotional distress. The starkness of the color scheme and the absence of any softening details amplify this sense of isolation. It’s possible to interpret the work as reflecting anxieties prevalent during the period in which it was created, hinting at societal upheaval and personal vulnerability. The deliberate disruption of conventional representation challenges notions of beauty and realism, inviting contemplation on the nature of identity and perception.