1970 Femme allongВe Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The drawing presents a reclining female figure rendered in a style characterized by expressive lines and distorted proportions. The subject is positioned on her side, with one leg extended and the other bent at the knee, creating a dynamic diagonal across the composition. Her head is turned slightly towards the viewer, revealing a face marked by an unsettling combination of sensuality and anxiety.
The artist employed a dense network of lines to delineate form, particularly around the hair, which appears almost chaotic in its rendering – a swirling mass that obscures parts of her face and neck. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates areas of shadow and depth, emphasizing the figure’s volume while simultaneously contributing to an overall sense of unease.
The body is not depicted with anatomical accuracy; rather, it appears elongated and somewhat disjointed. This distortion contributes to a feeling of alienation or psychological distress. The posture itself – relaxed yet tense – suggests a state of introspection or vulnerability.
Theres a deliberate ambiguity in the depiction of her expression. While there’s an element of allure in the turned gaze, it is tempered by a sense of apprehension or even melancholy. This duality hints at underlying complexities and contradictions within the subjects emotional landscape. The drawing seems to explore themes of female identity, sexuality, and psychological fragility, avoiding straightforward representation in favor of conveying a more nuanced and unsettling portrait of inner turmoil.

The inscription 20.1.70 in the upper right corner provides temporal context, anchoring the work within a specific moment of creation.