The artwork “Head of a Woman (Olga Picasso)” by the esteemed artist Pablo Picasso is a surrealistic oil on canvas painted in 1935. It exemplifies the portrait genre and is currently housed at the Musee Picasso in Paris. The work’s dimensions are quite notable, standing at 39 3/8 x 14 1/2 x 23 1/4 inches or 100 x 37 x 59 centimeters, reflecting the distinctive style associated with Picasso’s contributions to Surrealism.
The artwork stands as an abstract representation, a hallmark of Picasso’s mature style, where the subject, presumably Olga Khokhlova, Picasso’s first wife, is portrayed in a manner that distorts and reimagines the conventional interpretation of the human form. The use of sharp geometric shapes and the juxtaposition of vibrant colors create a sense of multidimensionality, characteristic of Picasso’s innovation in portraiture. Flat planes juxtapose with curvilinear elements, suggesting a visage which is simultaneously front-facing and in profile. The piece conveys a complexity of emotion and form, inviting viewers to explore the psychological landscape of both the subject and the artist himself. The artwork captures a moment in art history where the exploration of the subconscious and alternative perspectives of reality were visually expressed through unique and challenging compositions.
