1958 Jacqueline de profil droit II Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The drawing presents a female figure in profile, rendered with stark contrasts and a deliberate roughness of execution. The subjects gaze is directed downwards, suggesting introspection or perhaps melancholy. Her features are elongated and stylized; the nose is prominent, the eyes large and shadowed, contributing to an overall impression of intensity. A cascade of hair falls down her back, delineated by thick, parallel lines that add texture and a sense of movement.
The artist employed a technique involving vigorous cross-hatching and scribbling, particularly evident in the background and around the figures shoulders. This creates a visual dynamism and obscures precise detail, lending an air of immediacy to the work. The limited tonal range – primarily blacks and grays – reinforces the somber mood.
The composition is tightly cropped, focusing solely on the head and upper torso. This close framing intensifies the viewer’s focus on the subjects expression and demeanor. There is a sense of restraint in the depiction; while the lines are energetic, they do not convey uncontrolled emotion. Instead, there is an underlying tension between the forceful application of marks and the quiet sadness suggested by the figure’s posture and gaze.
Subtly, one detects a feeling of confinement or isolation. The dense background seems to press in on the subject, while her downward glance suggests a withdrawal from the world. Its possible to interpret this as an exploration of interiority – a portrayal not merely of appearance but also of psychological state. The deliberate distortion of features moves beyond simple portraiture, hinting at a deeper investigation into identity and perhaps even vulnerability.