1955 Nu aux bras levВs Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The artwork presents a female figure in a frontal pose, rendered primarily in shades of gray and white with subtle hints of brown. The composition is dominated by the subjects upper body; her arms are raised above her head, creating a sense of vulnerability or supplication. Her gaze is directed towards the viewer, conveying an unsettling directness that challenges conventional notions of modesty.
The artist’s handling of form deviates significantly from naturalistic representation. Facial features are distorted and fragmented – one eye appears larger than the other, the nose is simplified to a triangular shape, and the mouth is rendered as a thin, vertical line. This deliberate disruption of symmetry contributes to an overall feeling of unease and psychological complexity. The body itself is stylized; breasts are depicted with exaggerated volume, while the torso is elongated and flattened.
Brushstrokes are visible throughout, adding texture and dynamism to the surface. They appear hurried and expressive, suggesting a rapid execution or perhaps a deliberate attempt to convey emotional intensity. The background is largely undefined, which focuses attention entirely on the figure and amplifies her isolation.
Subtly embedded within the upper arms are what seem to be stylized representations of wings – a detail that introduces an element of symbolic ambiguity. These appendages could signify a desire for freedom or transcendence, yet their diminutive size and placement suggest a sense of constraint or thwarted aspiration. The overall effect is one of psychological tension; the figure appears both exposed and guarded, vulnerable yet defiant. It’s possible to interpret this work as an exploration of female identity, power dynamics, and the complexities of human emotion through a lens of abstraction and distortion.