Portrait of Olga in a Fur Collar (Portrait d'Olga au col de fourrure)

Portrait of Olga in a Fur Collar (Portrait d'Olga au col de fourrure) by Pablo Picasso is a seminal drypoint print originally executed in 1923. The work captures the artist’s first wife, the Russian ballerina Olga Khokhlova, during a period defined by Picasso’s brief, but profound, return to classical figuration following his Cubist experiments. This Spanish master’s choice of subject matter and technique reflects the broader artistic trends of the early 1920s, favoring recognizable forms and restrained composure.

The drypoint medium, an intaglio technique where the line is cut directly into the plate, imbues the image with a characteristic softness, particularly evident in the depiction of Olga’s luxurious fur collar. Picasso utilizes the delicate burr created by the drypoint needle to render texture and shadow, giving the portrait a quiet psychological intensity. The sitter’s reserved expression and formal bearing epitomize the refined elegance of the period and stand in sharp contrast to the more anguished portrayals of women that would define the artist’s later years.

While the drawing and plate creation date to 1923, this specific impression, now housed in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, was printed in 1955. The difference between the date of the work’s conception and its later printing reflects common practice in the history of fine art prints and demonstrates the enduring importance of this particular matrix. Portrait d'Olga au col de fourrure remains a significant example within Picasso’s graphic output, documenting a crucial shift in his approach to the human figure and serving as a poignant record of his early marriage.