1964 Buste de Jacqueline Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The work presents a fragmented portrait, executed in a palette dominated by shades of grey, blue, and white. The subject is depicted from the chest upwards, occupying most of the vertical space. A sense of immediacy arises from the visible brushstrokes and the rough texture of the paint application.
Here we see a face constructed through geometric planes, disrupting traditional notions of realistic representation. The eyes are disproportionately large and positioned asymmetrically, contributing to an unsettling gaze that avoids direct engagement with the viewer. The nose is rendered as a sharp, angular form, while the mouth appears compressed and almost absent. These distortions suggest a deliberate departure from naturalistic depiction, prioritizing instead an exploration of form and psychological state.
The head is crowned by a complex arrangement of vertical lines, likely intended to represent hair or a headdress. This element adds visual complexity and further emphasizes the fractured nature of the portrait. The background appears as a dark, undefined space, which serves to isolate the figure and intensify its presence within the composition.
Subtly, theres an interplay between solidity and transparency. Certain planes seem to advance towards the viewer while others recede, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity. This technique contributes to the overall feeling of instability and psychological depth. The inclusion of blue tones in the clothing introduces a coolness that contrasts with the grey hues dominating the face, potentially suggesting a duality or complexity within the subject’s character.
The paintings power resides not in its fidelity to outward appearance but in its ability to convey an emotional resonance through formal manipulation and compositional choices. It evokes a sense of introspection and invites contemplation on themes of identity, perception, and the complexities of human representation.