Olga in a Mantilla 1917

Olga in a Mantilla is a 64 x 53 cm painting by Pablo Picasso. Picasso’s paintings are a reminder that artmaking is a process of uncovering, not just illustrating. The muted palette in this piece seems so unlike the Picasso we think we know, yet it's so recognisably his. The almost translucent paint creates a light, airy feel, especially in the Mantilla itself. Check out the brushwork around the eyes. You can almost feel the delicate touch of the brush, capturing a certain stillness of the subject. There is an emotional restraint here. The composition is simple but refined, but also there's something unresolved in the background. This feels like an exchange with Manet to me, it has that same sense of coolness and poise. Ultimately, like all great art, this piece doesn't give you easy answers; it invites you to contemplate the many layers of meaning beneath the surface.