Art: Ma Jolie Flashcards
What does “Ma Jolie” mean?
my pretty girl
Where did the term “Ma Jolie” come from?
it was the refrain from a popular song, as well as Picasso’s nickname for his lover Marcelle Humbert
Who was Marcelle Humbert?
Picasso’s lover, better known as Eva Jouel. She died from tuberculosis in 1915.
What is the palette and composition of Ma Jolie like?
The palette is limited and subtle; many grays and browns, choppy brushstrokes.
What does the text at the bottom say?
Ma Jolie
What instrument can be seen in Ma Jolie?
A guitar or a zither can be seen in the lower right; whatever it is, it has 6 vertical strings.
What parts of the woman can be clearly seen?
4 fingers, part of an arm, and a bent elbow are to the right of the guitar/zither.
Did Picasso intend for the viewer to see a woman in the painting?
Nope. He did not intend that we seek to connect the abstract work to the concrete world.
Which part of the painting is darker, and which is lighter?
The upper left is darker and lighter highlights are on the right.
In what way is Ma Jolie rooted in tradition?
It features very classical material; a woman as a muse playing an instrument.
What does Ma Jolie make viewers question?
the value of representing 3D space and the significance of the painted image of a person
