1954 Portrait de Sylvette David 13 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The painting presents a frontal portrait of a young woman in profile, executed primarily in shades of grey and white against a dark background. The subjects face is rendered with simplified features characteristic of a Cubist approach; the nose is elongated and angular, the eyes are almond-shaped and slightly asymmetrical, and the mouth is reduced to a thin line. A prominent feature is the high ponytail secured with a dark band, which dominates the upper portion of the composition and contributes to an overall sense of verticality.
The artist employed a limited palette, relying on subtle tonal variations within the grey scale to define form and volume. The application of paint appears relatively flat, lacking extensive modeling or chiaroscuro. This flatness reinforces the two-dimensionality inherent in the Cubist aesthetic. Lines are bold and decisive, outlining the contours of the face and hair with a degree of precision that contrasts with the overall abstraction.
The dark background serves to isolate the figure, drawing attention to her pale complexion and emphasizing the starkness of the composition. The gaze is directed downwards, suggesting introspection or perhaps melancholy. Theres an air of quiet dignity about the subject, despite the distortions inherent in the artistic representation.
Subtly, there’s a sense of fragility conveyed through the delicate rendering of facial features and the restrained color scheme. The simplification of form could be interpreted as a means of exploring essential qualities beyond superficial appearance, hinting at an underlying psychological depth. The painting avoids overt emotional expression, instead presenting a contemplative study of character and presence.