1938 Portrait de Dora Maar assise 2 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a seated figure rendered in a fragmented and angular style. The subject is positioned centrally within the frame, occupying nearly its full vertical extent. A muted palette dominates – ochres, browns, and grays form the backdrop and infuse the figure itself, creating an overall somber atmosphere.
Here we see a woman depicted in profile, though her features are not conventionally rendered. Her face is split into planes, with one side presented in a more realistic manner while the other appears stylized and almost mask-like. The eyes, particularly those on the frontal plane of the face, possess an intensity that draws immediate attention; they seem to gaze directly outward, conveying a sense of melancholy or perhaps even defiance.
The figure’s attire is suggested rather than precisely defined. A dark jacket with visible lapels and a white shirt are discernible, but their forms are simplified and distorted. The chair upon which she sits is similarly abstracted, its lines skeletal and lacking in detail. This reduction to essential shapes contributes to the paintings overall sense of emotional detachment.
The background is not merely a backdrop; it actively participates in the work’s expressive power. Broad washes of color create an ambiguous space that seems both enveloping and oppressive. The lack of clear spatial cues reinforces the feeling of confinement or psychological isolation.
Subtleties within the composition hint at underlying tensions. The stark contrast between the realistic and stylized elements of the face suggests a duality, perhaps representing conflicting emotions or aspects of personality. The figure’s posture – slightly slumped, yet with an erect spine – implies a restrained strength. The date 13-5-38 inscribed in the upper right corner provides a temporal anchor but also serves as a visual disruption, further emphasizing the paintings fractured nature.
The work conveys a sense of psychological complexity and emotional restraint. It is not a straightforward portrait; rather, it offers an exploration of identity through fragmentation and distortion, suggesting a deeper narrative beyond the surface representation.