Dora Maar with her hand on her chin (Dora Maar à la main au menton)
Print, likely a lithograph or high-quality color plate reproduction from a publication • After Pablo Picasso (Original subject Dora Maar)
Style & Movement
Cubism / Surrealism / Modernism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography or offset lithography on paper, mimicking oil on canvas texture and flat planes of color
Creation Period
Original painting dated 1938; this print reproduction likely mid-to-late 20th century
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 25 cm (estimated from the scale of the paper border); Portrait format
Subject Description
A portrait of Picasso's lover and muse, Dora Maar. The composition uses distorted facial features, a green facial highlight, and a hand resting on the chin to convey psychological depth, anxiety, and introspection. The background is composed of vibrant red and orange planes.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the print appears to have crisp edges, though the mounting on white paper suggests it may have been removed from a book or portfolio
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $300 (standard for decorative aftermarket prints or book plates)
Auction Estimate
$40 - $200
Provenance History
Unknown; likely sourced from a modern art collection, art book, or an estate sale of decorative prints
Art Historical Significance
The 1930s-1940s portraits of Dora Maar are seminal in Picasso's career, representing the political unrest of Europe and his personal emotional turmoil through Maar's 'weeping woman' persona. This specific image is iconic of his wartime-era cubist portraiture.
Notable Features
Bold chromatic contrast between the green/yellow face and the cadmium red background; the lack of a visible embossed stamp or signature suggests this is a high-grade reproduction rather than a signed limited edition
Condition Issues
Potential light yellowing of the paper edges; visible cropping from a larger sheet; no significant creases or foxing visible from the image
Conservation Recommendations
Should be framed using UV-protective glass and acid-free matting to prevent fading and further paper degradation; keep away from direct sunlight