1962 Femme assise dans un fauteuil bleu Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a seated female figure within a chair, rendered in a style characterized by fractured planes and distorted perspective. The subject is positioned centrally against a muted, ochre-toned background that lacks detail, directing the viewers attention solely towards her form. A dominant blue hue permeates much of the work – the chair itself, portions of the woman’s hair, and sections of her clothing – creating a sense of cool detachment.
The artist deconstructed the figure, presenting it not as a unified whole but as an assemblage of geometric shapes. The face is particularly striking; one side is rendered in profile with a sharply defined nose and chin, while the other presents a frontal view, revealing two large, almond-shaped eyes that dominate the composition. This juxtaposition creates a sense of disorientation and challenges conventional notions of representation.
The woman’s attire consists of a green garment draped across her body, its folds simplified into angular forms. The chest area is suggested rather than explicitly depicted, contributing to an overall feeling of abstraction and symbolic representation. Her hair appears as a dark mass, roughly shaped at the top of her head.
Subtleties within the work suggest a complex interplay between vulnerability and stoicism. While the fragmented form might imply disintegration or emotional turmoil, the woman’s posture – straight-backed and composed – hints at an underlying resilience. The stark contrast between the cool blues and the warmer tones of the background creates visual tension, potentially reflecting internal conflict or a sense of isolation.
The absence of any discernible setting beyond the chair further emphasizes the figures psychological state. She exists in a void, stripped of context, which invites contemplation on themes of identity, perception, and the human condition. The painting’s formal elements – the fractured planes, distorted perspective, and limited color palette – work together to create an atmosphere of introspection and ambiguity.