1939 TИte de femme aux cheveux blonds (Marie-ThВrКse Walter) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a fragmented portrait of a woman, rendered in a style characterized by distortion and angularity. The face is not presented as a unified whole but rather as a collection of planes and perspectives layered upon one another. A prominent yellow form, likely representing hair or a head covering, dominates the upper left quadrant, its sharp edges contrasting with the softer contours of the facial features.
The artist employed a limited palette dominated by greens, blues, grays, and ochres, creating a somber and somewhat unsettling atmosphere. The application of paint is thick and impastoed, particularly noticeable in the darker areas, adding texture and emphasizing the physicality of the brushstrokes. This technique contributes to the sense of emotional intensity conveyed by the work.
The eyes are rendered with an exaggerated size and prominence, conveying a feeling of vulnerability or perhaps intense scrutiny. The mouth is depicted as slightly parted, suggesting either sadness or a silent expression. A pronounced nose juts out from the face, further contributing to the overall impression of fragmentation and disjunction.
The background is dark and undefined, pushing the figure forward and intensifying its isolation. A faint inscription in the upper right corner provides a date – “1939” – which places the work within a specific historical context marked by political turmoil and personal upheaval.
Subtly, theres an exploration of identity and perception. The fractured nature of the face suggests a breakdown or questioning of conventional notions of beauty and representation. It could be interpreted as a visual metaphor for psychological complexity or emotional distress. The layering of perspectives implies multiple viewpoints or facets of personality that are difficult to reconcile into a cohesive whole. The work resists easy interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with its ambiguities and confront the unsettling nature of fragmented experience.