1914 Cartes Е jouer, verres, bouteille de rhum (Vive la France) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a still life arranged on what appears to be a table surface, set against a patterned wall. The objects are rendered in a fractured, fragmented style, characteristic of early Cubism. A dark bottle dominates the left side of the arrangement, its form broken into planes and angles. Adjacent to it sits a vessel bearing the inscription Vive la France, suggesting a patriotic sentiment or association. Playing cards are scattered across the table, their imagery obscured by the deconstruction of form.
A central grouping includes what seems to be a bottle of rum, further reinforcing a sense of revelry or perhaps a melancholic indulgence. The arrangement is punctuated by a vase containing flowers, which offers a slight softening element amidst the angularity and fragmentation. A small, stylized duck figure sits near the right edge, its presence adding an unexpected touch of whimsy to the scene.
The color palette is dominated by greens, browns, and blacks, with occasional flashes of orange and white. The wall behind the still life features a dense, repetitive pattern that contributes to the overall sense of visual complexity. Light appears to emanate from multiple sources, casting shadows and highlighting different facets of the objects.
Beyond the literal depiction of everyday items, the painting seems to explore themes of disruption and disintegration. The fractured forms suggest a world in flux, perhaps reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of the period in which it was created. The inclusion of Vive la France alongside the fragmented imagery could be interpreted as an attempt to reconcile national pride with a sense of impending crisis or loss. The duck figure introduces a note of irony or absurdity, potentially commenting on the fragility of human endeavors amidst larger historical forces. Overall, the work conveys a feeling of tension and ambiguity, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between representation, reality, and the complexities of modern experience.