Today’s Fine Art Felines artwork is “Woman with Cat” by Pablo Picasso. This impressionist pastel sketch was completed in 1900, which is considered Picasso’s early years (Picasso lived from 1881 – 1973). What I really like about this work is that it is not typically what I picture when I think about Picasso, with whom I associate abstract, cubist art. There’s a lot of subtle movement in this sketch (e.g., the woman’s hand petting the cat), with muted emotion connecting these two naptime snugglers. My favorite thing about this sketch, however, is not really the subject, but the picture of the person in the background. I can just hear an art instructor telling Picasso how to shape and shadow the woman, but then I can also hear Picasso whispering to himself, “screw that, I’m gonna draw this funky little cartoon person right back here just to bring a little bit of myself to this piece”. It almost looks like a woman with a mustache drawn her…was Picasso a cartoonist or comedian at heart? I don’t know.
This is a sketch that uses my favorite colors, and I love the layering, the softness, and of course the cat in this piece. I hope you like it too! Muah!
Woman with Cat by Pablo Picasso
Fuzzy Undertones 
Love this and your musing about the background cartoon. Thanks for sharing it! 😀
You are very welcome! I like Fine Art Feline Fridays – I do them every other Friday (on my three-day weekends). I have another one already picked out for the next one…it will be interesting to compare this week’s and the next! Thanks for stopping by! 😀
Marci, i would have never guessed this was a Picasso! It looks far more like an Impressionist. The way she bends over the cat shows such tenderness – even with that wacky, crazy relative in the background :-).
That’s what I first thought when I saw this painting! And really, when you look at his work, though, his early pieces are much more impressionistic and classical in nature. However, I DO love that little glimpse of the Picasso yet to come in the portrait in the background 😉
There is something about the compassion I feel when looking at this painting and the smile that I had when looking at the portrait in the background. However, I must be a neck person… I’m loving the choker around her neck.
Yes! I love the choker, too! It’s such an interesting pop of color, and shows off the slim lines of the woman’s silhouette. I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed it 😀
I love this piece! It’s somewhat humorous, as you said, but also very touching. I can really see the emotional connection between the woman and her cat. 🙂
I totally agree, Sam! It *is* touching, and the emotion is real. I know that emotion and it’s easy for me to recognize it! 🐱
We didn’t make it to the Picasso Museum when we were in Spain. It was on the list, but we didn’t manage to complete the whole list. Maybe next time. LOVE this one!
Thanks for stopping by, Sandy! Ahhh…*all* of Spain is on my list! I hope you get to the Picasso Museum next time around 🐱
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I love this painting… It reminds me of the human because she always snuggles me first thing when she wakes up… And those are her favorite colors too! *(purrs)*♥
I like this drawing a lot, too! At first it appears to be a rough sketch, but when you really look at it, there’s a lot there. Movement, connection, detail, humor. I’m glad you like it, too! =^.^=
I do… The human is going to paint her own version of it when her shoulder is better! *(Trillllllls)*
Ooooohh – I hope you let your human share it on your blog when she finishes the painting – I’d love to see it! 🙂
I think I’ll encourage that! *(purrs)*
Love this and your take on it as well.
Thanks, Sherry! I love this period of Picasso’s work, partly because it’s so unlike what we typically associate with him and his style. 😉