1940 Nu assis Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The drawing presents a seated female figure rendered in charcoal on black paper. The composition is dominated by a sense of compression and inward focus. The subject occupies nearly the entire vertical space, with little background detail visible beyond the dark expanse of the paper itself.
Here we see a woman positioned in a posture that suggests both vulnerability and introspection. Her legs are drawn up towards her chest, creating a tightly coiled form. One arm is raised, supporting her head, while the other rests on her lap. The pose conveys an impression of weariness or perhaps even distress.
The artist’s use of charcoal contributes to the works emotional intensity. Broad strokes define the contours of the body, while more delicate lines suggest texture and volume. The stark contrast between the light areas and deep shadows emphasizes the figure’s physicality and creates a dramatic effect. The face is rendered with an unsettling directness; the eyes are large and appear to gaze outward, yet theres a sense of detachment or resignation in their expression.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette reinforces its somber mood. The absence of color directs attention solely to the form and line, intensifying the feeling of isolation and confinement. The signature at the lower left corner is executed with a hurried quality, further contributing to the overall impression of immediacy and emotional urgency.
Subtly, theres an element of distortion present in the figure’s proportions. While not overtly exaggerated, certain features – the size of the eyes, the shape of the head – deviate from conventional representations of human anatomy. This stylistic choice may be intended to convey a psychological state rather than a purely physical likeness. The drawing seems less concerned with depicting beauty or idealization and more focused on exploring themes of solitude, introspection, and perhaps even suffering.