1943 non vouloir Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The artwork presents a frontal portrait rendered in stark black and white, utilizing a woodcut or linocut technique evident in the rough texture and limited tonal range. The subject appears to be a woman, though her features are highly stylized and abstracted, moving beyond realistic representation towards an expressionistic portrayal of emotion.
Here we see a face framed by thick, dark hair that suggests both volume and a degree of confinement. The eyes dominate the composition; they are large, deeply shadowed, and convey a sense of intense suffering or profound sadness. Angular lines radiate from the corners of the eyes, amplifying this feeling of distress. The eyebrows are sharply defined, contributing to the overall dramatic effect.
The nose is reduced to a simplified form, while the mouth is depicted as a small, downturned shape, further reinforcing the impression of melancholy. Below the mouth, stylized foliage or plant-like forms emerge, obscuring and partially concealing the lower portion of the face. These organic elements introduce an ambiguous layer; they could symbolize natures resilience in the face of adversity, or perhaps represent a stifling presence that restricts expression.
The background is uniformly light, allowing the dark figure to stand out prominently. The composition’s simplicity and the deliberate use of negative space contribute to its emotional intensity. The artist has employed a limited palette and bold lines to create an image that feels both immediate and deeply unsettling. It suggests themes of oppression, sorrow, and perhaps a silent resistance against unseen forces. The overall effect is one of profound psychological depth conveyed through a highly symbolic visual language.