The artwork titled “Head of Woman” is a creation by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso, dated circa 1907. This portrait is a fine example of Expressionism, a movement that Picasso dabbled in throughout his prolific career. Crafted using chalk and ink on paper, the piece measures approximately 63 by 48 centimeters. As a genre, it falls within the realm of portraiture, where the essence of the subject is captured through the artist’s distinct perspective.
The artwork presents a stylized representation of a female figure, foregrounding her head and upper torso. Picasso’s approach here is characteristic of his inclination toward abstraction and simplification of form, deviating from realistic portrayal. The lines are bold and somewhat raw, sketching out the contours of the face, neck, and shoulders with a certain fluidity that conveys movement and expression.
Picasso’s treatment of the woman’s features reflects a departure from naturalism, as seen in the elliptical, almond-shaped eyes, the elongated face, and the simplification of the nose and mouth. The chalk and ink medium is employed in a way that enhances the structural elements of the subject’s head, aesthetically emphasizing the curvature and angles that compose her form. Expression is at the forefront, with the artwork seemingly delving into the psychological rather than the physical likeness of the woman.
