1971 MaternitВ Е la pomme Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a mother and child in a stylized manner. The artist has chosen a palette dominated by muted greens, grays, and creams, lending a somber yet gentle atmosphere to the scene. The figures are rendered with simplified forms and fractured planes, characteristic of an analytical approach to representation.
Here we see the woman seated, her body depicted as a series of geometric shapes that suggest volume without adhering to realistic proportions. Her face is presented in profile and frontal views simultaneously, creating a sense of complexity and psychological depth. The eyes are large and expressive, conveying a feeling of quiet contemplation or perhaps melancholy. A prominent brow ridge casts shadows over the features, contributing to this impression.
The child is cradled within the woman’s arms, also rendered with simplified forms. The infants face mirrors aspects of the mothers, suggesting an inherent connection and shared emotional state. A small, apple-like form rests atop the woman’s head; its presence introduces a symbolic element that warrants further consideration. It could represent innocence, knowledge (referencing the biblical story), or perhaps simply be a decorative motif within the artist’s personal iconography.
The background is largely undefined, consisting of broad strokes of green paint which serve to isolate the figures and focus attention on their interaction. The lack of spatial depth contributes to the paintings flattened perspective, emphasizing its formal qualities over any illusionistic representation of reality.
Subtly, a sense of vulnerability permeates the work. While there is an undeniable tenderness in the depiction of the mother holding her child, the fragmented forms and subdued colors suggest underlying anxieties or uncertainties. The overall effect is one of quiet introspection, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of motherhood, connection, and perhaps even loss.