Femme aux Bras Écartés (after Pablo Picasso)
Outdoor sculpture, freestanding silhouette assembly • After Pablo Picasso (Original design from 1961)
Style & Movement
Cubism / Post-Cubist Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Corten steel (weathering steel) or sheet metal with an oxidized patina; laser-cut or manually torch-cut and interlocking welded construction
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st Century (Contemporary edition/reproduction)
Dimensions & Format
Large-scale vertical format, estimated approximately 200–250 cm in height
Subject Description
A deconstructed, multi-planar abstraction of a female figure with outspread arms. The composition utilizes flat, intersecting geometries to create a volumetric effect from 2D planes, incorporating negative space (voids) to define physical features like eyes and body contours.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing a uniform stabilized rust patina consistent with outdoor exposure
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $15,000 (as a decorative reproduction/edition); significantly higher if authenticated as a licensed estate edition
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $8,000
Provenance History
Likely a posthumous edition or a high-quality decorative reproduction inspired by the Maeght Foundation or similar monumental Picasso cut-out collections common in Southern Europe
Art Historical Significance
Based on Picasso's 'cut-out' period where he translated paper and cardboard sketches into monumental steel structures. This work exemplifies his transition from 2D cubist drawing to 3D spatial experimentation.
Notable Features
Interlocking planar design characteristic of the folded-paper experiments Picasso conducted with silversmith François Hugo and metalworker Lionel Prejger in the early 1960s
Condition Issues
Surface oxidation (intentional weathering); potential minor base corrosion at ground contact points; structural welds should be inspected for stress fractures
Conservation Recommendations
Regular inspection of structural stability; ensuring the base is elevated from direct damp soil to prevent deep pitting; maintenance of the stabilized rust layer to prevent flaking