1939 Portrait dune jeune princesse, daprКs le MaМtre de Moulins Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The drawing presents a bust-length portrait of a young woman, executed in monochrome with evident charcoal and chalk techniques. The subject is positioned in profile, her gaze directed towards the viewer over her shoulder, creating a sense of immediate engagement. Her features are rendered with a degree of idealization, though softened by an underlying melancholy suggested by the downturned mouth and slightly shadowed eyes.
The artist has employed a loose, expressive style; lines are not precise but rather suggestive, contributing to a feeling of spontaneity and intimacy. The rendering of the hair is particularly noteworthy – it cascades around her face and shoulders in voluminous folds, meticulously detailed yet retaining an airy quality through the use of delicate hatching and blending. A decorative headdress or veil obscures part of her forehead, adding to the sense of aristocratic bearing.
Behind the figure, a landscape is hinted at, though largely indistinct. The suggestion of foliage and sky is achieved with broad strokes of chalk, creating a hazy backdrop that serves to isolate and emphasize the subject’s presence. This limited background contributes to an overall impression of introspection and quiet dignity.
The tonal range is restricted, primarily consisting of dark browns, grays, and whites. This monochromatic palette enhances the drawings somber mood and directs attention towards the subtle nuances of light and shadow that define the figure’s form. The artist seems interested in capturing not just a likeness but also an emotional state – a sense of quiet contemplation or perhaps even restrained sorrow.
The work evokes a feeling of historical distance, reminiscent of late medieval portraiture. There is a deliberate attempt to emulate the style of older masters, particularly evident in the formal pose and the treatment of drapery. The drawing’s overall effect is one of refined elegance tinged with an underlying sense of fragility and transience.