Who painted Head of a Woman: Madeleine?

Head of a Woman: Madeleine was painted by Pablo Picasso in 1905.

Where can I see Head of a Woman: Madeleine?

Head of a Woman: Madeleine is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Head of a Woman: Madeleine

Pablo Picasso , 1905

Head of a Woman: Madeleine is a print by Pablo Picasso. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1929.889
Credit line: Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

Overview

Created in 1905, Head of a Woman: Madeleine is a print by Pablo Picasso, the Spanish artist who spent most of his career in France. The work presents a profile portrait of a woman, rendered with rapid, uneven lines that give the image a spontaneous, unfinished quality. It belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is generally identified as Madeleine, a woman who appears repeatedly in Picasso’s early output. Though no narrative is attached, the downward glance and simplified features suggest an intimate, perhaps private, study rather than a formal commission, reflecting the artist’s interest in capturing fleeting expressions.

Technique & Style

Executed with a loose, sketch‑like hand, the print relies on sharp, scratchy strokes to model light and shadow. The shading is achieved through abrupt marks rather than smooth gradations, producing a raw, immediate impression. This approach aligns with Picasso’s experimental phase before the development of Cubism, when he explored varied drawing methods.

History & Provenance

After its creation, the print entered the market and was eventually acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its presence in a major American institution underscores the early recognition of Picasso’s work beyond Europe, even though the piece itself was never finished as a polished drawing.