Femme aux Bras Croisés-Pablo Picasso

Loneliness

Describe

This painting done by Pablo Picasso of a lone woman uses primarily edge and actual lines. These lines are very clean and sharp; they make the work static. However, there are implied lines in the figures dress and hair that give it realistic texture. Since it's only a human figure, the shapes used to create her are organic or invented. The white coloring of the dress and face of the woman, jet black hair, and dark blue background provide contrast.

Analyze

There is only one object depicted in this painting, a woman in front of a background of negative space. Therefore, she dominates the image. Her vertical, stiff, upright position keeps her centered so there is really no need for anything else to be painted to balance the work; the figure balances itself out. Since the lines that make up the figure are so clean and stiff, the work feels static. The visual interest in this piece seems to be the blue coloring. It's monochromatic, but the massive differences from the lightest to darkest colors provide contrast and thus visual interest.

Interpret

"Femme aux Bras Croisés" represents a woman haunted and possessed by her own loneliness. This conclusion can be drawn from, for one thing, the depressing blue coloring. It's cold and being cold is often associated with being alone, therefore being lonely. Also, the figure has a blank yet solemn expression on her face; she's staring off into nothingness. Another feature pointing to her loneliness is the way she is clutching, or hugging, herself. She's wishing she could be holding someone else and trying to control her sadness.