The artwork “Seated Woman with Red Hat” is attributed to the artist Pablo Picasso and is dated between approximately 1954 and 1956. The piece falls under the surrealist movement, serving as a portrait that encapsulates the distinctive elements of style for which Picasso is renowned. This artwork is part of the collection at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science, located in Evansville, Indiana, in the United States.
The artwork showcases a female figure seated, defined by bold, abstracted forms and fractured planes, typical of Picasso’s mature style. The woman is depicted with exaggerated, nonlinear proportions and appears to be interacting with or surrounded by domestic objects, contrasting against the textured background. The painting’s color palette is subdued with hints of vibrancy, notably the red hat which stands out as a colorful focal point. The brushwork appears expressive, contributing to the work’s abstract quality. The palpable amalgamation of shapes and the fluid representation of space are evocative of the surrealist movement’s exploration of the subconscious and dream-like imagery. Despite being abstract, elements of the human figure are discernible, displaying Picasso’s ability to deconstruct and simultaneously capture the essence of the subject through his unique artistic lens.
