Head of a Woman, in Profile (Tête de femme, de profil) from the Saltimbanques series

Head of a Woman, in Profile (Tête de femme, de profil) from the Saltimbanques series by Pablo Picasso is a profound early print executed in 1905. This drypoint etching belongs to the crucial body of work created by the Spanish artist during his transition from the stark introspection of the Blue Period to the warmer, yet equally pensive, atmosphere of the Rose Period.

Picasso employed the drypoint technique, which involves scratching directly onto a copper plate, allowing the raised burr of metal to hold the ink. This method yields a characteristically soft, velvety line, particularly evident in the subtle shading and contours of the subject’s face. The artwork captures a young woman rendered in stark profile, her hair pulled back simply, emphasizing the elegant yet severe outline of her features. Her expression is withdrawn and introspective, aligning with the generalized melancholy Picasso assigned to the itinerant circus performers, acrobats, and jesters who populate the Saltimbanques series of this era.

The focus in this piece is less on specific character traits and more on formal structure, employing minimal background detail to concentrate attention entirely on the figure’s psychological state. Through the delicate management of line and shadow, Picasso imbues the sitter with a quiet dignity, emphasizing the isolation and fragility of the performer’s life.

As one of the central prints produced in 1905, this work showcases Picasso’s rapidly developing mastery of graphic media. These early prints solidified his reputation not only as a painter but also as a formidable printmaker whose technical innovation would continue throughout his career. This significant example of modern graphic art is housed in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).