1943 Femme en vert (Dora Maar) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a seated figure, rendered in a fractured and angular style. The subject appears to be a woman, although her features are abstracted and distorted, defying conventional representation. A dominant palette of greens – ranging from olive to emerald – defines the form, punctuated by accents of yellow, blue, and red.
Here we see a deliberate fragmentation of space and perspective. Planes intersect at jarring angles; the figure’s face is divided into distinct sections with contrasting colors and textures. The eyes are disproportionately large and positioned asymmetrically, contributing to an unsettling gaze. A prominent spiral motif adorns the chest area, adding a layer of symbolic complexity that resists straightforward interpretation.
The womans hands are clasped in front of her, suggesting either restraint or introspection. Her posture is stiff and formal, yet the disjointed anatomy conveys a sense of underlying tension. The background is reduced to geometric blocks, further emphasizing the figure’s isolation within a confined space. A narrow strip of yellow at the top suggests a window or opening, but it offers no visual escape from the surrounding darkness.
The work seems to explore themes of psychological distress and emotional fragmentation. The jarring juxtaposition of colors and shapes creates a palpable sense of unease. It is possible that the artist intended to convey not merely an outward appearance, but rather an internal state – a portrait of anxiety or trauma. The deliberate distortion of features could be interpreted as a visual representation of a fractured identity or a struggle for self-representation in times of conflict and uncertainty. The overall effect is one of controlled chaos, where beauty and discomfort coexist within the same frame.