I've never particularly liked the majority of Pablo Picasso's abstract work, so I was surprised to discover the powerful impression that the figurative painting below made on me, and many others currently hanging in the Picasso retrospective at the Zurich Kunsthaus.
Seated Woman (1921), Pablo Picasso, Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart, GermanyThe painting is larger than life but what makes it particularly impressive is the sense of depth that gives you the impression that the figure is a three-dimensional sculpture rather than a two-dimensional painting (an effect that is lost in photo reproductions).
This sensation is created with classical art techniques consisting of over-simplified forms—such as the box-like head—which are lit almost entirely with form shadow. Considering that the light source is from top-right, notice how the figure's left arm doesn't appear to cast any shadows onto her lap; and that her head would have created a sharper and darker cast shadow over her right shoulder.
It's nice to see modern and classical ideas working so well together. Picasso apparently painted it after a visit to Italy, where he was likely inspired by ancient and Renaissance art. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to see the painting in person at its permanent home in the Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart, Germany.
This sensation is created with classical art techniques consisting of over-simplified forms—such as the box-like head—which are lit almost entirely with form shadow. Considering that the light source is from top-right, notice how the figure's left arm doesn't appear to cast any shadows onto her lap; and that her head would have created a sharper and darker cast shadow over her right shoulder.
It's nice to see modern and classical ideas working so well together. Picasso apparently painted it after a visit to Italy, where he was likely inspired by ancient and Renaissance art. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to see the painting in person at its permanent home in the Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart, Germany.