The artwork titled “Portrait of Corina Romeu” is an oil on canvas painting created by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso in 1902. As a work associated with the Post-Impressionism movement, it measures 61 x 50 cm and falls under the genre of portrait. This piece is part of the collection housed at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Céret in Ceret, France.
The artwork portrays a woman’s bust, looking directly at the viewer with a steady and engaging gaze. Her features are presented in a realistic manner, with soft, yet defined contours. Picasso utilizes a limited palette, dominated by somber blues and muted whites, reflecting the overall tone of the work. The woman’s hair is styled in an elegant updo, and she wears a white garment adorned with a simple yet prominent gold pendant, lending her an air of quiet dignity and grace.
The use of light and shadow in the painting is subtle, contributing to the mood without overwhelming the subject itself. There is a depth in the woman’s eyes that suggests an unspoken narrative, characteristic of Picasso’s ability to convey emotion through his subjects. The brushwork varies across the canvas, smoother on the woman’s skin, conveying softness, and more textured on her attire and the background, which adds to the dimensionality and interest in the composition.
The blue tonality of the work may suggest that it was created during Picasso’s Blue Period, a time when he often depicted themes of poverty, isolation, and melancholy. Despite the sorrow that often permeated the works of this period, the subject here is portrayed with a sense of resilience and composure, making the portrait a compelling study of character and emotion crafted by Picasso’s adept hand.
