Boisgeloup offers a haven of tranquility to Pablo. Marie-Thérèse is the Lady of his castle, always calm even when she is not sleeping. She becomes increasingly recognizable, especially by her profile.
On June 19 in London, Sotheby's sells as lot 17 Buste de femme de profil, also titled Femme écrivant, painted in Boisgeloup on April 1, 1932.
Of medium size 116 x 73 cm, this oil on canvas offers an intimate scene. The head is limited to its outline and to two small curved lines in the normal place of the eye and the ear, without the distortions that Pablo practiced so often. The big nose, the mouth half-open to concentrate and the rather strong chin are recognizable, and the yellow ponytail confirms the identity of the blonde muse.
Marie-Thérèse is against the light in a superimposition effect with the frame of the closed window. The pleasant colors are dominated by the blue of the sky. The garden brings a green halo.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
SOLD for £ 27.3M including premium
The Art of a Love Letter: Tender Picasso portrait of Marie-Thérèse serenely penning her thoughts in 1932 to lead summer season... https://t.co/AG4mRiS4Uo#SothebysImpMod #PabloPicasso pic.twitter.com/2PRg8kPhW4
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) May 4, 2018