1937 Portrait de Dora Maar 6 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The portrait presents a woman rendered in a fragmented and angular style. The face is bisected by a stark diagonal line, dividing one side into a yellow plane and the other into a darker hue, predominantly black and grey. This division isnt merely cosmetic; it suggests an internal conflict or duality within the subject’s character.
The eyes are disproportionately large, particularly the left eye which dominates its half of the face. It conveys a sense of intense scrutiny, perhaps even vulnerability. The right eye is smaller and more shadowed, contributing to the overall feeling of unease and complexity. A single, prominent tear falls from the corner of the right eye, adding an element of melancholy or suppressed emotion.
The woman’s mouth is pursed, her fingers pressed against her lips in a gesture that could be interpreted as restraint, secrecy, or perhaps even pain. The hands themselves are rendered with a similar angularity to the face, emphasizing their role in this silent communication.
The clothing consists of a dark jacket over what appears to be a purple and blue blouse with red accents. These colors contrast sharply with the muted tones of the face, drawing attention to the subject’s attire while simultaneously highlighting her isolation within the composition. The background is minimally defined, consisting primarily of greyish-white planes that further isolate the figure against an undefined space.
The overall effect is one of psychological intensity and emotional turmoil. The fractured forms and jarring color contrasts suggest a breakdown of conventional representation, hinting at a deeper exploration of inner states rather than a straightforward depiction of physical appearance. Theres a palpable sense of suppressed narrative – a story hinted at but not explicitly told – that invites the viewer to contemplate the subject’s unspoken experiences.