Femme assise 1953

Pablo Picasso painted "Femme assise" in 1953, using oil on canvas. Although seemingly traditional materials, Picasso's approach was anything but. Note how the paint is applied in a very matter-of-fact way. The visible brushstrokes are used to create a layered effect of shapes and lines. The texture adds a tactile dimension to the work, almost as if Picasso wanted to emphasize the physical act of painting itself, and disrupt any sense of conventional illusionism. The sharp lines and fragmented forms reflect Picasso’s engagement with Cubism, a style he pioneered. But what’s often missed is the sheer labor involved in these compositions, the hours spent resolving planes and perspectives on a single surface. Ultimately, "Femme assise" reminds us that even the most radical artistic visions are grounded in material processes, and a deep engagement with the history of making.