A fascinating discovery has been made beneath one of Pablo Picasso’s early works from his Blue Period.
Experts from The Courtauld Institute of Art in London have uncovered a hidden painting of a mysterious woman beneath Picasso’s Portrait of Mateu Fernández de Soto.
This discovery was made through advanced imaging techniques such as x-ray and infrared scanning, as part of preparations for the painting’s debut in a new exhibition.
Who Is the Mystery Woman?
The hidden painting, which dates back to around 1901, depicts a seated woman with a distinct chignon hairstyle—a fashion popular in Paris at the time.
The figure’s head, shoulders, and fingers are clearly visible, but the identity of this woman remains a mystery.
Art experts have speculated that she could have been a posed model, a friend, or even a lover of Picasso’s, though the theories remain purely speculative for now.
The image was likely painted just months before Picasso completed the well-known portrait of his Spanish sculptor friend, Mateu Fernández de Soto.
Picasso’s Artistic Evolution Captured in Layers
At just 19 years old, Picasso was already showing signs of his evolving artistic style.
The Portrait of Mateu Fernández de Soto was completed during Picasso’s transition from the vibrant and colorful works influenced by the Impressionists to the more somber and melancholic Blue Period.
This shift in style was partly driven by the tragic suicide of Picasso’s close friend, Spanish painter Carlos Casagemas, earlier that year.
As the painting progresses, you can see the background featuring another of Picasso’s works—his memorial piece depicting the burial of Casagemas.
Layers of Art Revealing a Peek into Picasso’s Process
The hidden portrait of the woman beneath the Portrait of Mateu Fernández de Soto is not the first time Picasso’s works have revealed secrets beneath their surface.
Picasso was known for reusing canvases, often painting over earlier works.
In this case, the mysterious woman’s portrait was likely painted just months before the final image of Mateu Fernández de Soto.
Experts have pointed out the similarity between the woman’s depiction and other paintings Picasso created that year, such as the famous Absinthe Drinker and Woman with Crossed Arms, showing his interest in depicting women in seated poses.
Picasso’s Preference for Reworking His Art
Picasso’s habit of layering one painting on top of another wasn’t just a matter of practicality—he often lacked the resources to purchase new canvases.
More importantly, it was part of his creative process.
Picasso resisted the urge to simply cover over old images with white paint, instead building new figures on top of earlier ones, creating a rich, textured process that allowed the artist to evolve stylistically.
Other Hidden Picasso Works Unearthed
This isn’t the first time hidden images have been discovered beneath Picasso’s artwork.
In 2023, conservators at the Guggenheim Museum in New York found a small dog hidden beneath one of Picasso’s famous pieces, Le Moulin de la Galette.
In 2020, experts from the Art Institute of Chicago uncovered a secret sketch of everyday objects hidden beneath a 1922 work by Picasso.
These discoveries highlight the many layers of creativity Picasso embraced throughout his career.
A Portrait with Layers of Meaning
Kerstin Richter, director of the Oskar Reinhart Collection in Switzerland, which lent the painting for this exhibition, emphasized the significance of this discovery.
What was once thought to be a simple portrait of an unknown woodcarver now holds much deeper meaning, revealing the transformation of Picasso’s art and his personal connection to the people in his life.
Richter explained that this discovery not only sheds light on the personality of the subject in the painting but also visualizes Picasso’s artistic development during a pivotal moment in his career.
A Glimpse Into Picasso’s Genius
Barnaby Wright, deputy head of The Courtauld Gallery, also commented on the finding, noting that the surface of the Portrait of Mateu Fernández de Soto had long hinted at another layer beneath.
Picasso’s ability to transform one image into another, along with his continual stylistic evolution, would go on to define his legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of art.
This process of reinvention and constant experimentation can be traced back to early works like this one, where the artist was already exploring the boundaries of creativity and expression.
This hidden layer of Picasso’s painting offers us a deeper understanding of his creative journey, as well as a fascinating peek into his complex, ever-changing approach to art.b
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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