1918 Pipe, verre et carte Е jouer Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a fragmented still life arranged within a shallow pictorial space. Here we observe a deconstruction of recognizable objects – a pipe, a glass, and a playing card – rendered through geometric planes and intersecting lines. The artist has eschewed traditional perspective, instead opting for multiple viewpoints simultaneously depicted on the canvas.
A dominant blue plane occupies the left side, containing an abstracted representation of the pipe’s bowl. Its curved form is suggested rather than explicitly defined, relying on the viewer to piece together its shape from the angular segments. Adjacent to this, a muted green area establishes a sense of depth and provides contrast. The glass appears as a series of overlapping triangles and rectangles in varying shades of blue and grey, further dissolving its three-dimensional qualities.
The playing card, centrally positioned, is rendered with a lighter palette of beige and white, the club symbol clearly visible despite the overall abstraction. It acts as a focal point, drawing the eye into the heart of the composition. The surrounding planes are not merely background elements; they actively participate in the construction of form, creating an interplay of positive and negative space.
The subdued color scheme – primarily blues, greens, greys, and beige – contributes to a sense of quiet contemplation. There is a deliberate lack of vibrancy, suggesting a mood of introspection or melancholy. The fragmentation of objects could be interpreted as a reflection of the disruption and uncertainty prevalent in the post-war era. The inclusion of the playing card introduces an element of chance and game theory, perhaps hinting at the precariousness of existence or the arbitrary nature of fate.
The overall effect is one of intellectual rigor and formal experimentation. The artist seems less interested in depicting reality as it appears than in exploring the underlying structures that constitute our perception of it. The work invites a close examination of its constituent parts, rewarding careful observation with a deeper understanding of its complex visual language.