Head of woman 1923

Picasso made this ‘Head of a Woman’ with paint, and probably in a hurry, you know, like a sketch. The russet color is amazing! It is almost like he mixed blood with dirt, right? Look closely, and you can see how the paint is scrubbed into the canvas. There's no hiding the process here; you can see every stroke, every decision. I love how the dark paint defines the curls around her face, like little commas. And that shadow under her nose? Raw and immediate. The overall effect reminds me of some of Paula Modersohn-Becker’s portraits, all that earthy sensuality. Ultimately, it’s up to us to decide what to read into it. Painting isn't about answers, it’s about questions.