The artwork entitled “Seated Portrait of Marie-Therese Walter” was created by the eminent artist Pablo Picasso in the year 1937. This oil on canvas reflects the surrealist influences that permeate Picasso’s diverse body of work. With dimensions of 130 by 97 centimeters, the piece is characteristic of Picasso’s innovative approach to portraiture. Currently, this notable work resides in the Musée Picasso in Paris, France.
The artwork captures Picasso’s muse and lover, Marie-Therese Walter, in a stylized and abstract manner, which is typical of the artist’s distinctive treatment of form and space during his surrealist period. The portrait is imbued with a dreamlike quality, showcasing a complex interplay of shapes and colors. The subject is depicted in a seated position, her physique represented with curvilinear and geometric segments that suggest both dimensionality and flatness. Picasso’s use of vibrant hues, coupled with the manipulation of light and shadow, imbues the composition with a palpable energy.
Marie-Therese’s facial features are rendered through a series of fragmented elements that coalesce to form a harmonious whole, a technique that Picasso mastered and which sets his works apart within the surrealist movement. The contour lines and the juxtaposition of colors within the portrait serve to invoke a sense of depth and movement, compelling the viewer to engage with the painting from multiple perspectives. This piece stands as a testament to Picasso’s unprecedented contribution to the evolution of modern art, especially within the genres of surrealism and cubism.
