Femme Assise c. 1917

María Blanchard made this painting, Femme Assise, without giving us a date, yet it speaks volumes. The muted palette and angular forms suggest a fragmented reality, a world seen through a Cubist lens. Look closely, and you'll notice how Blanchard builds up the image with deliberate brushstrokes. Each plane of color feels carefully considered. The materiality is present in every angular line and shade. The patterned fabric of the woman's dress is particularly striking. It is rendered with a delicate touch, almost as if the artist is trying to capture the essence of the fabric itself. It’s a lovely contrast to the geometric shapes that surround it. This painting reminds me a bit of Picasso's portraits. But Blanchard brings a unique sensitivity to her work, which is amazing. Instead of fixed meanings, Blanchard invites us to wander through her art.