1954 Portrait de Sylvette David 19 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

Here we observe a monochromatic portrait executed in charcoal or graphite on paper. The subject is a young woman, seated and turned slightly away from the viewer. Her posture suggests introspection; her head is bowed, and her gaze appears directed downwards, though obscured by the fragmented nature of her depiction.
The artist has employed a fractured approach to representation. Facial features are not rendered realistically but instead broken down into geometric planes and rearranged. The eye, disproportionately large in relation to other elements, dominates the left side of the face, conveying an intensity that contrasts with the overall sense of melancholy. A single, prominent ear is visible, while the other remains largely implied through shading.
The woman’s hair is depicted as a cascade of angular forms, flowing down her shoulders and partially obscuring the upper portion of her body. These shapes are not merely descriptive; they contribute to an overall sense of enclosure and perhaps even confinement. The drapery around her neck and shoulders further reinforces this feeling, creating a visual barrier between the subject and the viewer.
The background is minimal, consisting primarily of dark tones that emphasize the figure’s isolation. A few angular lines suggest a rudimentary structure or setting, but these are indistinct and serve mainly to frame the central subject.
Subtly, theres an exploration of identity beyond superficial appearance. The deconstruction of facial features suggests a probing into the essence of the individual, moving past mere likeness toward a more psychological portrayal. The limited tonal range contributes to a somber mood, hinting at underlying emotional complexity or perhaps even a sense of vulnerability. The work seems less concerned with capturing a specific moment in time and more interested in conveying an atmosphere of quiet contemplation and internal struggle.