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

The composition presents a fragmented view of female figures within what appears to be an interior space. The artist employs a flattened perspective and a restricted palette dominated by blues, yellows, reds, and blacks, contributing to a sense of visual compression and abstraction. Figures are not rendered realistically; instead, they are deconstructed into geometric shapes and planes, overlapping and interpenetrating one another.
On the left side, a woman is depicted seated, partially veiled, her form defined by sharp angles and bold color contrasts. Her posture suggests both modesty and an underlying sensuality. To her right, another figure reclines, her body similarly fragmented and reassembled in a manner that challenges conventional notions of anatomy. A third female presence appears further back, seemingly engaged with objects – possibly fruit or decorative items – arranged on a table.
The background is equally fractured, featuring a grid-like pattern interspersed with architectural elements like arches and screens. These features contribute to the overall sense of spatial ambiguity; it’s difficult to discern depth or establish a clear foreground/background relationship. The use of angular forms and abrupt shifts in color create a dynamic tension within the scene.
Subtly, theres an exploration of voyeurism at play. The arrangement of figures suggests they are being observed, though the perspective of the observer remains elusive. This creates a sense of distance and detachment, reinforcing the painting’s fragmented nature. The veiling of one figure hints at themes of concealment and revelation, while the overall abstraction prevents any straightforward narrative interpretation.
The work seems to be less concerned with portraying specific individuals than with exploring the formal possibilities of representation – the interplay of shape, color, and space – and hinting at complex social dynamics through a lens of stylized observation.