In view of Picasso's mercurial
character, both as a man and
as an artist, it seems
remarkable that his sorrowful
Blue Period should have
lasted
for such a long time, from late
1901 until 1905.
Painted with
masterful simplicity, Woman in
a Chemise is a transitional work
in a very obvious sense,
combining Picasso's
habitual
blue tones with the pinks that
would soon become the
hallmark of his new 'Rose'
period. As so often in his art, a
new style was heralded by the
appearance of a new woman in
his life. All we know about this
one is that her name was
Madeleine, and that
she
became Picasso's mistress and
had an abortion in the course
of their brief liaison. Replaced
in Picasso's affections by
Fernande Olivier, who would
remain his companion until
1912, Madeleine disappeared
and is heard of no more.
