1914 Verre et paquet de tabac Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a fragmented still life, characterized by sharp angles and a deliberate flattening of perspective. The artist has constructed a space using geometric planes that intersect at oblique angles, creating a sense of instability and visual complexity. These planes are not rendered with traditional modeling; instead, they appear as distinct surfaces abutting one another.
A dominant triangular form occupies the upper portion of the canvas. Its surface is patterned with small red dots on a teal background, introducing an element of decorative busyness that contrasts with the more austere nature of other elements. This pattern disrupts any sense of depth and reinforces the painting’s two-dimensionality.
Below this triangle lies a rectangular plane rendered in warm earth tones, suggesting wood or a similar material. A roughly sketched outline of a bust is positioned on this surface, its form simplified to essential lines. The figures lack of detail contributes to the overall sense of abstraction and reduces it to a mere compositional element rather than a portrait.
To the left, another plane emerges, angled sharply towards the viewer. This one features a pattern of red and orange dots against a dark background, echoing the decorative quality seen above but with a different color palette. A blue surface is visible behind this patterned plane, its edges defined by crisp lines that further emphasize the painting’s fragmented nature.
The limited color palette – primarily blues, greens, reds, oranges, and browns – contributes to a sense of muted intensity. The dark background surrounding these forms creates a void-like space, isolating the objects and intensifying their visual impact.
Subtly, theres an interplay between representation and abstraction at work here. While recognizable shapes – the bust, the patterned fabrics – are present, they are deconstructed and reassembled in a way that prioritizes formal relationships over realistic depiction. The overall effect is one of controlled chaos, where individual elements exist independently yet contribute to a unified, albeit disorienting, whole. The painting seems less concerned with portraying objects as they appear in reality and more interested in exploring the possibilities of form, color, and spatial arrangement.