1915 Nature morte dans un paysage * Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a still life integrated within a landscape, rendered through a fractured and fragmented visual language. A table dominates the foreground, its surface delineated by sharp angles and planes that disrupt any sense of traditional perspective. Upon this surface rests a collection of objects: a bowl filled with fruit, a mandolin, and what appears to be a glass. These items are not depicted realistically; instead, they are broken down into geometric forms, reassembled in an unconventional manner.
The background is equally deconstructed. A landscape unfolds behind the table, but it’s not presented as a continuous vista. Instead, its composed of overlapping planes and blocks of color – ochre, brown, green, and red – that suggest trees, hills, and sky without adhering to naturalistic representation. The clouds are simplified into swirling shapes, adding to the overall sense of abstraction.
The palette is earthy and muted, with browns, greens, yellows, and touches of red creating a somber atmosphere. Theres an intentional flattening of space; objects seem to exist on multiple planes simultaneously, blurring the distinction between foreground and background. The use of line is also significant – angular lines define shapes and create a sense of dynamism, while parallel lines suggest structure and order within the chaos.
Beyond the surface depiction, the work seems to explore themes of perception and representation. The fragmentation suggests a questioning of traditional ways of seeing and depicting reality. It implies that objects are not fixed or stable but rather exist as multiple perspectives simultaneously. The inclusion of musical instruments – the mandolin – might allude to harmony and beauty disrupted by the surrounding chaos, perhaps hinting at a sense of loss or displacement. The still life elements themselves, typically symbols of abundance and domesticity, appear isolated and somewhat melancholic within this fractured environment. Overall, the painting conveys a feeling of disorientation and introspection, inviting viewers to actively engage with its complex visual language and consider the nature of representation itself.