While living in Barcelona in 1902, Picasso painted scenes of deprivation and depression; a result of being traumatized by a close friend’s suicide in Paris and haunted by the memory of prostitutes at the women’s prison of St. Lazare, of which he sketched. This period of saddened, melancholy works persisted for years, ultimately being named Picasso’s Blue Period. The color blue was rich in associations for symbolists of the time, suggesting night, evil, and death. It is likely that Melancholy Woman portrays the mistress of the artist’s  deceased friend; a woman that Picasso himself felt attracted to. The woman is shown in the form of an inmate gloomily staring at the wall of her cell, emotionally distant. Through this portrayal of her, it is evident that Picasso’s former experiences (especially within St. Lazare) have heavily influenced his artwork. However, this particular painting has much more symbolism: she is a prisoner to her own emotions; her own mourning.

SKU: 5544
Creator: Pablo Picasso
Date: 1902
Original Medium: oil on canvas
Original Size: 39 3/8 x 27 1/4 in.
Location: Detroit Institute of Arts
© Succession Picasso 2012