Portrait of Sylvette David

Pablo Picasso, 1954

MEDIUMOil on canvas
DIMENSIONS130.7 × 97.2 cm (51 7/16 × 38 1/16 in.)
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago

This striking portrait of Sylvette David by Pablo Picasso, created in 1954, exemplifies the artist's enduring innovation and his fascination with capturing the essence of his muses through a unique blend of simplified forms and expressive lines.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

Pablo Picasso's "Portrait of Sylvette David" from 1954 captures a fascinating moment in the artist's career, showcasing his remarkable ability to adapt and explore diverse styles even late in his life. Picasso, a pivotal figure in 20th-century art, known for co-founding Cubism and his work in Surrealism, often revisited and reinterpreted his subjects. Sylvette David, a young woman with a striking ponytail, became a muse for Picasso in the mid-1950s, inspiring a series of works that demonstrate his continued experimentation with form and line. This portrait, created when Picasso was 73, reflects his ongoing vitality and curiosity, a testament to a career that spanned over 76 years and produced iconic works like "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" and "Guernica."

ART MOVEMENTS
CubismPost-ImpressionismSurrealism
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The distinctive high ponytail of Sylvette David

2

The interplay of light and shadow on her face

3

Picasso's bold use of line and simplified forms

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Audio Deep Dive

This striking portrait of Sylvette David by Pablo Picasso, created in 1954, exemplifies the artist's enduring innovation and his fascination with capturing the…

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THE ARTIST
Pablo Picasso 1881–1973 · Spain

Pablo Picasso, the Spanish painter who co-founded Cubism, revolutionized 20th-century art with a career spanning over 76 years.

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