1935 Femme se coiffant Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

Here we observe a portrait rendered in a fragmented and angular style. The subject is a woman engaged in the act of grooming; her head is turned slightly towards the viewer, suggesting a moment of introspection or self-regard. A prominent feature is the elaborate coiffure, depicted with thick, swirling brushstrokes that dominate the upper portion of the composition. These strokes are not merely descriptive but contribute to an overall sense of dynamism and complexity.
The face itself is deconstructed into geometric planes; the nose is a sharp triangle, the eyes are reduced to simplified shapes, and the mouth appears as a narrow slit. A striking use of color further emphasizes this fractured representation. The skin tones are rendered in shades of green and grey, contrasting with areas of red and white that define the cheekbones and hair. This unconventional palette moves beyond naturalistic depiction, creating an unsettling yet compelling visual effect.
The background is a dark, almost impenetrable black, which serves to isolate the figure and intensify the impact of her fragmented features. The yellow frame around the composition provides a stark contrast to the darker tones within, drawing attention to the subject while simultaneously creating a sense of confinement.
Subtly, the painting seems to explore themes of identity and perception. The woman’s fractured appearance suggests a breakdown of conventional notions of beauty or selfhood. It is possible that the artist intended to convey a sense of psychological complexity or internal conflict through this dismemberment of form. The act of grooming itself – a ritualistic practice often associated with vanity and presentation – is rendered in an unsettling manner, questioning the performative aspects of identity.
The overall effect is one of controlled chaos; while the composition appears disjointed, theres a deliberate structure underlying the fragmentation. This suggests that the artist isn’t simply aiming for abstraction but rather seeking to reveal something deeper about the human condition through a radical reimagining of portraiture.