1910 Nature morte avec verre et citron Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a still life rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. Here we observe a collection of objects – likely fruit, glassware, and possibly a lemon – deconstructed into geometric planes and sharp angles. The artist has abandoned traditional perspective; instead, multiple viewpoints are simultaneously presented within the same pictorial space.
A dominant palette of ochre, brown, grey, and cream creates a muted, almost monochromatic effect. This restricted color range contributes to the work’s overall sense of austerity and intellectual rigor. Light is not depicted as emanating from a single source but rather appears to be distributed unevenly across the surfaces of the fragmented forms, further complicating spatial relationships.
The arrangement feels deliberately disordered; objects overlap and intersect without clear boundaries. This lack of hierarchy challenges the viewers expectations regarding depth and form. The artist seems less interested in representing the objects realistically than in exploring their underlying structure and how they can be reassembled through a process of analytical dissection.
Subtly, there’s an implication of instability and impermanence. The fractured nature of the forms suggests a world that is not fixed or easily defined. It could be interpreted as a visual representation of the breakdown of traditional modes of perception and understanding. The absence of any clear narrative or emotional cues encourages a purely formal engagement with the work, prompting reflection on the very act of seeing and representing.

The overall effect is one of intellectual challenge rather than aesthetic pleasure; it demands active participation from the viewer in piecing together the fragmented elements into a coherent whole – a process that may ultimately prove elusive.