Woman in a white gown seated next to the sea. Picasso's Classical period.

%C2%A9 Estate of Pablo Picasso %2F Artists Rights Society %28ARS%29%2C New York

Woman by the Sea, 1922

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Bequest of Putnam Dana McMillanexpand_more  61.36.24

Picasso took an interest in classical art, specifically that of the Hellenistic period (323–31 BCE), such as the Venus de Milo. Here he imitated a sculptural form on a two-dimensional surface by modeling with light and shadow. He deliberately distorted the forms of the body, foreshortening the figure and compressing space and depth. The woman’s dark, wavy hair, serene expression, languid pose, and draped dress all reflect Hellenistic Greek influence. Isolation against a barren background accentuates her massiveness, making her presence overpowering.

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Picasso, Woman by the Sea (#788)
Details
Title
Woman by the Sea
Artist Life
(active France), 1881–1973
Role
Artist
Accession Number
61.36.24
Curator Approved

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Woman in a white gown seated next to the sea. Picasso's Classical period.

© Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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