(Credits: Far Out / Oskar Reinhart / The Courtauld Institute of Art)
London’s Courtauld Institute has discovered an image of an unknown woman beneath the surface of Pablo Picasso’s, Portrait of Mateu Fernandez de Soto from 1901.
During an X-ray analysis of this Blue Period painting, conservators found outlines of two figures on different levels, suggesting the canvas was previously used for at least two different works. This was typical of poor artists who would recycle used canvases to save money.
“(The painting) literally emerged before our eyes … piece-by-piece,” said Barnaby Wright, deputy head of the Courtauld Gallery. The identity of the woman is still unknown, but the distinct chignon hairstyle, characterised by a high bun, suggests she was painted at the beginning of the 20th century when this became fashionable in Paris.
“In revealing this previously hidden figure we can shed light on a pivotal moment in Picasso’s career,” said Aviva Burnstock, professor of conservation at the Courtauld.
The Blue Period was a depressing time for Picasso, evoked through the sombre colour palette of dark blues and greens and despondent characters. Critics believe that this change in style was due to the suicide of Picasso’s friend Carlo Casagemas, which greatly impacted Picasso.
Remnants of the woman’s portrait are still slightly visible in the current painting, notably her eye, ear and hair. It’s almost as if Picasso wanted her to remain visible to the viewer even in the finished work.
“He didn’t whitewash the canvas in between changing its subject to give him a clean slate. He painted the figure of his friend directly on top of the woman … one figure is emerging from the other, transforming one into the other,” described Wright.
The painting is set to be displayed as part of the Goya to Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Oskar Reinhart Collection, opening on February 14th, at the Courtauld Institute.
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