“The Italian woman with a flower” is an exquisite piece of art by Pablo Picasso, created in 1917 during his time in Rome, Italy. This artwork, rendered in watercolor and graphite on paper, showcases Picasso’s foray into Realism, a departure from his more well-known Cubist style. Measuring 27.7 by 20 cm, this genre painting captivates viewers with its understated yet compelling composition.
The artwork depicts what appears to be an Italian woman clad in a traditional attire, holding a flower in her right hand while carrying a basket in her left. The woman is shown with dark hair, a neutral expression, and wearing a headscarf which, along with her clothing, suggests a rustic or peasant background. The use of watercolor imbues the piece with a delicate quality, while the line work done in graphite brings definition and structural clarity to the figure. Sparse in its use of color, predominantly using hues of blue for the scarf and a touch of to the lips and cheeks, the artwork reveals Picasso’s ability to convey depth and personality with minimal embellishment, capturing the essence of the subject with smooth elegance. The blank paper background draws further attention to the woman, illustrating the artist’s focus on the central figure and her attributes.