A Worksheet Companion to Painting

Pablo Picasso 's Girl Reading at a Table ' 1934

Pablo Picasso 's 1934 painting entitled : Girl Reading at a Table ' is rendered with oil and enamel on canvas . The painting juxtaposes an image of a young girl (presumably Marie Therese , a mistress of the artist with the distortion of surrounding objects within the scene . The female subject undertakes a passive activity - the act of reading - that allows the artist to highlight her humanity with minimal distraction

The differing usage of color between surrounding material objects and the female subject demonstrate a usage

of formal features that reinforce the humanity affirming content of the painting . Much of the canvas space permeates a black dullness . The artist uses an abstract line to compose the material objects . A vine that fills the left side of the painting sits unstructured and lacking vibrancy - absence of a solid line adds an unrealistic aura to the plant 's branches . Notably , the lamp sitting next to the subject also eschews a solid line but features the only bright color usage on a material object in its contrast of yellow and white This light serves to illuminate the female , adding to her angelic quality as reinforced by the crown of thorns . Her chair also features dull coloring . The dark reds and rustic blues are noticeably lighter than the bulk of the painting , yet (similar to the light ) this underscores the power of the human rather than material objects . Also the most pronounced line in this portion of the painting highlights the subject 's breasts and torso - an indication that her humanity creates a distinct difference from the surrounding , lifeless material objects . The only line with whiteness comparable to the female subject renders the shape of her left breast , which implies the sexuality inherent in Picasso 's portrayal of the young female

Girl Reading at a Table ' clearly features the female subject as the center of interest , which organizes the composition with a balance skewed towards her body (and face in particular . The painting features two separate harmonies . The first surrounds material objects in their abstract structure and dull color palette , while the second surrounds the female subject and features more concrete lines and brighter colors This dichotomy creates a clear contrast within the composition . Material objects are lifeless and arranged to appear dead within the canvas space , and the female subject is rendered so vibrantly bright , she appears otherworldly in her youth and sexuality . In other words , the contrast serves to highlight humanity and place the surrounding environment into the background - a theme that is reinforced by the passive act of reading , which places the female subject in a pure uninterrupted state . The female as center of interest is also indicated through Picasso 's organization of space . He places her head nearly hovering over (and separated from ) an oblong table . She looks down upon the painting 's space as an angel , which is exemplified in the crown of thorns placed on her head . The space of the table...