1959 Nu assis, bras croisВs sur la tИte Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a seated female figure rendered in a fragmented and angular style. The subject is positioned centrally within the frame, occupying most of the pictorial space. She appears to be sitting on a chair, its form similarly deconstructed into geometric planes. Her arms are crossed over her head, an unusual gesture that conveys a sense of introspection or perhaps distress.
The artist employed a muted palette dominated by shades of grey, beige, and brown, with touches of green and blue contributing to the overall somber mood. The application of paint is visible; brushstrokes are evident, adding texture and dynamism to the surface. Theres an intentional lack of smooth blending, which reinforces the fractured nature of the figure.
The face is characterized by a stark simplification of features – large, almond-shaped eyes stare directly outward, conveying a feeling of vulnerability or confrontation. The nose is reduced to a triangular form, and the mouth is rendered as a thin line. These distortions contribute to an unsettling effect, distancing the viewer from any sense of naturalistic representation.
To the right of the figure, a small, stylized object resembling a truncated cone sits on a table-like surface. Its presence introduces a note of domesticity or perhaps symbolic significance, though its precise meaning remains ambiguous. It could represent containment, restriction, or simply be an element to balance the composition.
The subtexts within this work seem to revolve around themes of isolation and psychological tension. The crossed arms suggest defensiveness or withdrawal, while the direct gaze implies a challenge or plea for understanding. The fragmented form might symbolize a fractured identity or a sense of being broken down. The overall effect is one of emotional complexity, inviting contemplation on the inner life of the subject and the artists exploration of human vulnerability.