Concept map

Author: Alberto
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Among Picasso's "portraits," the most unforgettable one is undoubtedly "The Weeping Woman" from October 1937. This small painting is about the size of a human face but is filled with self-igniting complementary colors, pulling the eyes in opposite directions—colors like green and red, purple and yellow, orange and blue. The white handkerchief, twisted into sharp angles, appears as if it is being clenched by teeth. Against the background of shimmering gold-brown and pale yellow (partly gold leaf suitable for the iconography of holy relics, partly the walls of Parisian cafes that exude worldly passion), the red hat and the dark cornflowers on it move me more than any other part of the painting. The woman has dressed herself up, wearing a cheerful hat, her hair neatly combed, expecting happiness, yet ends up like this in front of everyone, becoming ugly due to sorrow. The joyful, fashionable hat, utterly indifferent to her, seems to mock her. How can we bear to witness such a private sorrow? What is missing from this painting that allows outsiders like us to easily enter its space, feeling both pity and admiration for her? What clues can we find from this portrait story half a century later, that can teach us to read this face overwhelmed by emotion to the point of dazzling us?