The artwork titled “Woman by the window,” created by Pablo Picasso in 1936, is an oil on canvas painting that measures 55 x 46 cm. As a piece of the Surrealism movement, this portrait genre painting reflects the artist’s exploration of the subconscious and distortion of reality for an emotional effect.
The artwork captures the female subject positioned beside a window, as suggested by the artwork’s title. Picasso’s distinctive style is evident in the geometric abstraction and the bold, yet non-naturalistic color scheme that pervades the canvas. The subject’s face is deconstructed into a series of shapes that still convey a sense of depth and form, despite their departure from realistic representation. The various planes of the face are delineated by colors such as blues, greens, yellows, and oranges, which interact dynamically with each other, adding to the portrait’s striking effect.
This portrayal reflects a complex array of emotions and psychological states through its use of exaggerated features and fragmented form—a hallmark of Picasso’s work during the period. The date of the artwork’s creation is inscribed within the composition itself, allowing a personal touch by the artist and a direct connection to the time of its inception. This distinct mixture of emotional resonance and avant-garde technique makes “Woman by the window” an exemplary piece of Picasso’s innovative impact on the art world and the Surrealism movement at large.
