Madame Soler 1905

Picasso painted Madame Soler with oil on canvas, and it is now housed in the Neue Pinakothek. Look at the blue; it envelops everything in the background and even tinges the white of her blouse, creating a palpable mood. You can see Picasso working out the form, building up the layers, and yet it feels so raw, like it’s still in process. Take a close look at the way he renders her hands—they're almost like ghostly apparitions, just barely formed, hinting at the weight and reality of her presence without fully committing. The brushstrokes are visible, and the layering creates this incredible sense of depth, even in the flatness of the painting. I am reminded of Cezanne, with his interest in volume and the materiality of paint. It’s a reminder that painting is not just about representation; it’s about exploring the possibilities of the medium. It is more than just seeing; it’s feeling, touching, and thinking through paint.