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Lot Essay
Painted in 1937, Tête devant la fenêtre marks a rare exploration of union between elements of still life and portrait. During the late 1930s, Picasso became exposed to many varying strands of influence, varying from the developments in Surrealism to the developments in his private life. In February 1937, this dichotomy is demonstrated in his celebrated La baignade, which is juxtaposed in his output with the light and purity of Tête devant la fenêtre.
The head before the window in this painting appears to be that of Marie-Thérèse Walter, Picasso's lover for most of the 1930s, and arguably his greatest muse. For his paintings of Marie-Thérèse, Picasso had developed an entire style and technique, and the smooth curves and cloisonnisme of Tête devant la fenêtre recall this technique, a comparison that is borne out by inspection of other depictions of her from the same period.
Never publically exhibited, the painting has remained in the same family collection since its purchase from Paul Rosenberg in Paris January 1939.
The head before the window in this painting appears to be that of Marie-Thérèse Walter, Picasso's lover for most of the 1930s, and arguably his greatest muse. For his paintings of Marie-Thérèse, Picasso had developed an entire style and technique, and the smooth curves and cloisonnisme of Tête devant la fenêtre recall this technique, a comparison that is borne out by inspection of other depictions of her from the same period.
Never publically exhibited, the painting has remained in the same family collection since its purchase from Paul Rosenberg in Paris January 1939.