1955 Les femmes dAlger (Delacroix) XI Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The drawing presents a complex arrangement of figures within a shallow space. Here we observe several female forms, rendered in a fragmented and angular style. Their bodies are deconstructed into geometric planes, overlapping and intersecting with one another. The artist employed a limited tonal range – primarily black lines on a white background – which emphasizes the structural elements rather than any illusionistic depth or shading.
The composition is densely packed; figures appear to be both present and dissolving within the framework of lines. Facial features are reduced to minimal markings, often appearing as abstracted symbols rather than recognizable representations. One figure, positioned centrally, seems to possess a more defined profile, though even this is distorted by the characteristic cubist fracturing.
The presence of what appears to be an instrument – perhaps a flute or similar wind instrument – held by one of the figures introduces a layer of potential narrative. It suggests a moment of leisure or performance, yet the overall atmosphere remains ambiguous and detached. The lines themselves are assertive and decisive, contributing to a sense of dynamism despite the static nature of the forms.
Subtly embedded within the composition are markings that resemble script or symbols – small, seemingly random notations scattered across the figures’ bodies and the surrounding space. These elements resist easy interpretation; they could be read as personal annotations, decorative flourishes, or perhaps even a commentary on language itself. They contribute to an overall feeling of intellectual complexity and deliberate obscurity.
The drawings power resides not in its depiction of recognizable forms but in its exploration of spatial relationships, the interplay of line and plane, and the inherent instability of representation. It is a work that invites prolonged scrutiny, rewarding careful observation with glimpses into the artist’s process of deconstruction and reassembly.