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

Here we see a composition dominated by a muted teal-green palette, applied with visible texture that suggests a rough or unrefined surface. The arrangement is fragmented and disjunctive, presenting elements seemingly detached from any conventional spatial logic.
The artist depicted several recognizable objects, though their forms are distorted and abstracted. A playing card, prominently positioned near the center, displays a stylized clover emblem. To its left, a cluster of what appear to be grapes or berries is rendered with dense pointillist strokes in shades of green, yellow, and red. Above this, a geometric shape resembling a truncated pyramid or angular roofline rises diagonally, painted in a vibrant red-orange hue that contrasts sharply with the cooler tones surrounding it.
The presence of letters – E being clearly legible – integrated into the upper portion of the composition adds another layer of complexity. These arent simply decorative; they seem to be embedded within the structure itself, suggesting an interplay between language and form. The overall effect is one of deconstruction and reassembly, where familiar objects are broken down into their constituent parts and then rearranged in a non-representational manner.
Subtexts emerge from this fractured presentation. The playing card, with its emblem of luck or fortune, might symbolize chance or the precariousness of existence. The grapes could represent abundance or indulgence, while their fragmented depiction hints at loss or decay. The geometric structure above suggests an artificial construct imposed upon a natural scene. The embedded letters introduce a sense of coded communication or hidden meaning.
The painting’s aesthetic evokes a feeling of disorientation and intellectual challenge. It invites the viewer to actively engage with its elements, piecing together their significance within the context of the overall composition. Theres an underlying tension between familiarity and abstraction that creates a compelling visual experience.