1937 Portrait de femme au bВret1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a female figure rendered in a fragmented and abstracted style. The artist has employed a limited palette dominated by muted greens, browns, ochres, and blues, with touches of purple and white providing contrast. Here we see the subject depicted from multiple perspectives simultaneously; her profile is visible alongside a frontal view, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity and challenging conventional notions of representation.
The face itself is dissected into geometric planes, emphasizing angularity over naturalistic form. The eyes are disproportionately large and positioned asymmetrically, contributing to an unsettling yet captivating gaze. A lilac-colored beret sits atop her head, adding a touch of formality or perhaps a deliberate attempt at masking identity. A dark vertical element on the left side of the composition appears to be a scarf or veil, partially obscuring the figure’s neck and shoulder.
The clothing is suggested through broad brushstrokes and simplified shapes; an orange-brown garment drapes across her shoulders, its folds indicated by subtle shifts in tone. A delicate necklace adorns her upper chest, offering a small detail of refinement amidst the overall deconstruction. The background is largely undefined, with a vertical black line on the left edge creating a sense of enclosure or confinement.
Subtly, theres an impression of melancholy and introspection conveyed through the figure’s expression and posture. The fragmented nature of her form could be interpreted as a reflection of inner turmoil or a commentary on the fractured experience of modern life. The deliberate distortion of features might suggest a questioning of traditional beauty standards or a desire to reveal something beyond superficial appearances. The limited color range reinforces this sense of restraint, hinting at an underlying emotional complexity. Ultimately, the work invites contemplation about identity, perception, and the inherent instability of representation.