1971 Buste de femme 7 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The drawing presents a portrait bust, rendered in a simplified and stylized manner. The subjects head is framed by a roughly defined outline, suggesting a contained space or perhaps a sculptural form. A dark brown line delineates the contours of the face, while lighter brown washes fill areas to create tonal variation and suggest volume.
The facial features are reduced to essential elements: large, almond-shaped eyes with subtle shading indicating depth; a prominent nose rendered as a single, angular plane; and lips slightly parted in what could be interpreted as an expression of quiet contemplation or perhaps restrained emotion. A vertical line bisects the face, adding to the sense of geometric fragmentation characteristic of the style.
The artist employed a limited palette – primarily browns and whites – which contributes to the work’s starkness and emphasizes the formal qualities of the composition. The brushstrokes appear loose and gestural, conveying a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. There is an intentional lack of detail; the focus lies on the arrangement of shapes and lines rather than realistic representation.
The overall effect is one of abstraction and psychological intensity. While the subject is recognizably human, the distortion of features and simplification of form create a distance between viewer and portrayed. The drawing seems to explore themes of identity, perception, and the construction of the self through visual means. It suggests an interest in reducing the complexities of human experience to their most fundamental components.