polity french third republicconcept:era modern
Girl Before a Mirror
Oil on canvas (1932) by Pablo Picasso, depicting Marie-Thérèse Walter as a young woman gazing at her reflection, which appears transformed. A pivotal work combining Cubist simultaneity with psychological and sexual symbolism. Held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Scholarly Significance
Major Cubist-Surrealist synthesis; among Picasso's most discussed paintings for its psychological complexity.
Notes
- ·The sitter is Marie-Thérèse Walter (1909–1977), Picasso's young mistress whom he began a relationship with in 1927.
- ·The girl is shown in profile and frontal view simultaneously — a Cubist device — while her mirror reflection appears darker and more adult.
- ·The diamond-patterned background alludes to harlequin imagery common throughout Picasso's work.
- ·The painting was completed March 14, 1932 — Picasso's 51st birthday.
- ·Gift of Mrs. Simon Guggenheim to MoMA in 1938.