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Head of a Woman with a Chignon (Fernande)

A work made of black chalk and opaque watercolor on tan laid paper.

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  • A work made of black chalk and opaque watercolor on tan laid paper.

Date:

summer 1906

Artist:

Pablo Picasso
Spanish, 1881–1973

About this artwork

This work depicts the artist and model Fernande Olivier (1881–1966). She was Picasso’s partner for eight years and frequent subject. The pair spent the summer of 1906 in the small town of Gósol in the Spanish Pyrenees and it was here that Picasso made the drawing. The artist rendered Olivier’s face and hair in passages of black chalk or brown and pink opaque watercolor, omitting any background detail. According to Olivier, their relationship was tumultuous because of their mutual jealousy, but, as a model and companion who catered to his demanding lifestyle, she was essential to his early success.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Pablo Picasso

Title

Head of a Woman with a Chignon (Fernande)

Place

Spain (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1906

Medium

Black chalk and opaque watercolor on tan laid paper

Dimensions

62 × 47 cm (24 7/16 × 18 9/16 in.)

Credit Line

Partial and promised gift of Susan Manilow in memory of Lew Manilow

Reference Number

2020.271

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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