Femme assise pres d'une fenetre (Marie-Therese)

Pablo Picasso, 1932

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About This Work

This captivating portrait, 'Femme assise près d'une fenêtre (Marie-Thérèse),' depicts Picasso's 'golden muse,' Marie-Thérèse Walter, seated by a window. Rendered in a vibrant palette of blues, greens, and purples, her voluptuous form is presented with a dreamlike sensuality, characteristic of Picasso's Surrealist-influenced period. Her profile, often seen as a classical, serene presence, is subtly integrated into the composition, reflecting Picasso's deep affection and fascination with her. The window, a recurring motif in art, opens to an abstract landscape, perhaps symbolizing her inner world or the artist's imaginative realm. The painting exudes a profound sense of intimacy and tranquility, capturing Walter's essence as both a lover and an artistic inspiration.

Created in 1932, a pivotal year in Picasso's career often referred to as his 'miracle year,' this painting is one of many iconic portraits of Marie-Thérèse Walter. Their clandestine affair began in 1927, and Walter quickly became a dominant subject in his work, inspiring a new, more sensual and curvilinear style that contrasted sharply with the angularity of his Cubist period. This particular work was painted at Boisgeloup, Picasso's country estate, where he often worked in secret, away from his wife Olga. The series of Marie-Thérèse portraits from 1932 are celebrated for their overt eroticism, vibrant colors, and profound emotional depth, solidifying Walter's place as one of Picasso's most significant muses. The painting's sale at Christie's in 2018 for $49.8 million underscored its enduring appeal and art historical importance.

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