1913 Bouteille, clarinette, violon, journal, verre Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a fragmented still life arranged against a dark, ambiguous background. The artist has dismantled recognizable forms into geometric planes and facets, creating a sense of simultaneity and fractured perspective. A bottle, seemingly made of glass, occupies the central space, its shape reduced to intersecting angles and muted tones of green, grey, and brown. Adjacent to it lies what appears to be a clarinet, rendered in similar fragmented fashion, with its keys suggested by small, dark rectangles. Other objects – a violin, sheet music, and a drinking glass – are similarly deconstructed and interwoven within the arrangement.
The background is not merely a backdrop but an active element of the composition. It’s constructed from overlapping planes of brown and ochre, punctuated by areas of darker shadow that obscure depth and create a claustrophobic atmosphere. Fragments of text are visible on several surfaces – BASS and JOUR – suggesting a connection to musical performance or printed media. These textual elements are not legible in their entirety but contribute to the overall sense of disarray and abstraction.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by earthy tones that reinforce the feeling of muted melancholy. The limited range of hues contributes to the painting’s somber mood and emphasizes the formal qualities of the composition over any narrative content. Light appears to emanate from multiple sources, casting shadows that further complicate the spatial relationships between objects.
The subtexts within this work seem to revolve around themes of disintegration and reconstruction. The fragmentation of recognizable forms could be interpreted as a reflection of modern anxieties – the breakdown of traditional values or the experience of living in an increasingly fragmented world. The inclusion of musical instruments suggests a commentary on artistic creation itself, perhaps implying that all art is ultimately a process of deconstruction and reassembly. The obscured text hints at communication disrupted or meaning lost. Overall, the painting conveys a sense of quiet contemplation and invites viewers to actively engage with its complex visual language.