The woman of love (c.1927 – c.1928) by Francis Picabia

The woman of love - Francis Picabia - c.1927 - c.1928

Artwork Information

TitleThe woman of love
ArtistFrancis Picabia
Datec.1927 - c.1928
Mediumpencil,watercolor,paper
Dimensions105 x 75 cm
Art MovementSurrealism

About The woman of love

The artwork titled “The woman of love” was created by Francis Picabia around the period of 1927 to 1928. This piece exemplifies the figural genre within the Surrealist art movement, created using the media of pencil and watercolor on paper. Measuring 105 by 75 cm, this drawing belongs to the “Transparencies” series by the artist, further exploring the thematic and stylistic preoccupations of his oeuvre.

The artwork presents a complex, layered composition characteristic of Picabia’s “Transparencies” period. In the foreground, a central female figure dominates the scene; her poised face contrasts with the multiplicity of forms and figures surrounding her. Her classical features remain calm and collected amidst a fascinating and ethereal intertwining of both human-like and mystical beings that are skillfully rendered to suggest depth and overlap — likely a nod to the layered nature of human psyche and emotions emphasized in Surrealist works.

The human figures appear to be engaged in dynamic movement: the lower left figure seems to be carrying a scepter that pierces through the elements of the composition, creating a strong vertical line that guides the viewer’s gaze. The winged creatures that flank the woman introduce a sense of mythological narrative, and the amorphous, almost ghostly background shapes contribute to the dream-like quality of the piece. The subtle application of color enhances the ethereal and delicate quality of the image, with watercolor technique allowing for both clarity and softness, and the pencil outlines providing structure and detail to the forms.

Overall, the mixed composition and whimsical forms are evocative of a dreamlike reality, a hallmark of Surrealism, inviting viewers to decipher symbolic content and engage in personal interpretation of the fantastical scene.

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