GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This painting of a simplified female figure was made at a crucial crossroads in Pablo Picasso’s early career. It reflects the artist’s experiments with the flattening of space and fragmentation of forms into abstract geometric structures. This conceptual and stylistic exploration would eventually lead him to develop Cubism, a groundbreaking aesthetic in which objects are depicted from multiple viewpoints rather than one. Here, the violet contours in arching forms interlock to define the simplified anatomy of the figure. Rough areas of modeling in rust and ochre on the face, arms, and chest help define the body and also create an abstract play of space, line, and surface.
Excerpt from
Nicole Myers, DMA label copy, 2018.
NOTES
Created in 1907-1908
Muted violet lines and arcs painted with a powerful intensity interlock to define the simplified anatomy of this figure. Rough areas of modeling in rust and ochre on the face, arms, and chest help define the body and also create an abstract play of space, line, and surface. This painting was made at a crucial crossroads in Pablo Picasso’s career when his experiments with the flattening of space and fragmentation of forms into abstract geometric structures resolved into the cubist style that would come to define his career.
Heather MacDonald
The Lillian and James H. Clark Associate Curator of European Art
October 2010
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Place of origin: Paris (France): TGN: 7008038
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Khan Academy~Watch this video about Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, a painting he created around the same time as the DMA's Bust.
- Tate, London~Learn more about Cubism, an artistic style developed by Picasso and Georges Braque during this time period.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
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Apply to objects where number equals 1987.399.FA
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General Description
This painting of a simplified female figure was made at a crucial crossroads in Pablo Picasso’s early career. It reflects the artist’s experiments with the flattening of space and fragmentation of forms into abstract geometric structures. This conceptual and stylistic exploration would eventually lead him to develop Cubism, a groundbreaking aesthetic in which objects are depicted from multiple viewpoints rather than one. Here, the violet contours in arching forms interlock to define the simplified anatomy of the figure. Rough areas of modeling in rust and ochre on the face, arms, and chest help define the body and also create an abstract play of space, line, and surface.
Excerpt from
Nicole Myers, DMA label copy, 2018.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- Khan Academy~Watch this video about Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, a painting he created around the same time as the DMA's Bust.
- Tate, London~Learn more about Cubism, an artistic style developed by Picasso and Georges Braque during this time period.
Notes
Created in 1907-1908
Muted violet lines and arcs painted with a powerful intensity interlock to define the simplified anatomy of this figure. Rough areas of modeling in rust and ochre on the face, arms, and chest help define the body and also create an abstract play of space, line, and surface. This painting was made at a crucial crossroads in Pablo Picasso’s career when his experiments with the flattening of space and fragmentation of forms into abstract geometric structures resolved into the cubist style that would come to define his career.
Heather MacDonald
The Lillian and James H. Clark Associate Curator of European Art
October 2010
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Place of origin: Paris (France): TGN: 7008038
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1987.399.FA
source file
object_notes_2_c-0060.xml.nores