Woman with a Mantilla (La Femme à la mantille)
Painting on canvas • Pablo Picasso
Style & Movement
Cubism / Synthetic Realism (influenced by Neo-Impressionism/Divisionism)
Medium & Technique
Oil and charcoal on canvas; utilizes Divisionism (pointillism), sketching, and impasto for the face.
Creation Period
1917
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 116 x 89 cm (Portrait format)
Subject Description
A portrait of a woman wearing a traditional Spanish mantilla and peineta (tall comb). The work displays a hybrid style where the face is rendered with realistic modeling, while the veil and background are executed in pointillist dots. The lower half remains an unfinished charcoal sketch, revealing the artist's process.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the integrity of the paint layer appears stable and the charcoal lines are well-preserved.
Estimated Market Value
$40,000,000 - $60,000,000 (Based on historical significance and rarity of large-scale 1917 works)
Auction Estimate
$35,000,000 - $50,000,000
Provenance History
Formerly in the artist's personal collection; gifted by Picasso to the city of Barcelona in 1970. Now housed in the Museu Picasso, Barcelona.
Art Historical Significance
A pivotal work from Picasso's 1917 return to Barcelona. It marks a transition where he experimented with Neo-Impressionist techniques alongside the 'return to order' and naturalism, showcasing his ability to synthesize multiple historical styles simultaneously.
Notable Features
The contrast between the highly finished Divisionist dots and the raw, unfinished charcoal sketching at the bottom; the psychological intensity of the gaze which is more traditional than his Cubist output of the same year.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust; some evidence of natural canvas aging and slight yellowing of the unpainted ground typical of works from this period.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature. Use UV-filtering glass and low-intensity lighting (max 150 lux) to protect the sensitive charcoal sketch elements.