1962 TИte de femme 5 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a frontal portrait of a woman, rendered in a style characterized by simplified forms and a restricted palette. The figure is positioned centrally within the frame, commanding immediate attention. Her gaze is direct, engaging the viewer with a certain solemnity.
Here we see an intentional flattening of perspective; depth cues are minimized, contributing to a sense of immediacy and abstraction. The face itself is constructed from broad planes of color – grays, greens, yellows, and blacks – applied in distinct blocks rather than blended smoothly. This technique emphasizes the underlying structure of the features, reducing them to essential shapes. The eyes, rendered with elongated almond forms, are particularly striking, conveying a sense of introspection or perhaps melancholy.
The hair is depicted as a dark mass cascading down her shoulders, further simplifying the contours of the head. A band of color encircles her forehead, providing a visual anchor and subtly defining the hairline. The neck appears long and slender, merging into the green-tinged upper portion of the garment she wears.
The limited color range contributes to an overall mood of restraint and introspection. The palette evokes a sense of coolness and quietude, reinforcing the figure’s solemn expression. There is a deliberate lack of detail; no jewelry or other adornments are visible, focusing attention solely on her face and its emotional register.
The inscription in the upper right corner – 13.6.62 – provides a temporal marker, anchoring the work within a specific historical context. The presence of this notation suggests an emphasis on process and documentation rather than purely aesthetic concerns.
Subtly, there is a sense of timelessness conveyed by the figure’s features; she could be interpreted as representing an archetype – a woman embodying strength, resilience, or perhaps enduring sorrow. The absence of specific contextual clues allows for multiple interpretations, inviting viewers to project their own meanings onto the image.