1971 Buste de femme 4 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The painting presents a fragmented portrait of a woman, rendered in a style characterized by angular forms and a deliberate distortion of perspective. The subjects face is constructed from geometric planes, with a pronounced brow ridge and deeply set eyes that convey an impression of melancholy or introspection. A prominent nose descends into a sharply defined mouth, which appears slightly downturned.
The artist has employed a limited palette dominated by earthy tones – ochre, brown, grey – interspersed with patches of green and yellow. These colors are applied in thick impasto strokes, creating a textured surface that contributes to the painting’s overall sense of dynamism. The background is a muted yellow, providing a subtle contrast to the darker hues used for the figure.
The womans hair appears as a dark mass framing her face, with individual strands suggested by short, energetic brushstrokes. She seems to be supporting her head with one hand, which is rendered in simplified form and positioned close to her chin. The gesture suggests weariness or contemplation.
A garment, likely a shawl or cloak, drapes over her shoulders, its folds indicated through linear patterns and variations in color intensity. A signature appears at the bottom right corner of the canvas, executed in a bold, almost calligraphic style.
Beyond the immediate depiction of a female figure, the painting seems to explore themes of identity and representation. The fragmentation of form suggests a deconstruction of traditional portraiture, challenging conventional notions of beauty and realism. Theres an underlying sense of psychological complexity conveyed through the subject’s expression and posture; she is not presented as a passive object but rather as a being with inner life and perhaps even suffering. The deliberate distortion of features could be interpreted as an attempt to capture something beyond mere physical likeness – a deeper, more essential quality of character or spirit.