1919 Nature morte3 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a still life arranged within a rectangular format, framed by a roughly textured wooden border. The background is dominated by a muted blue-grey hue, providing a relatively neutral space for the objects positioned in front. These objects appear fragmented and reassembled, defying conventional perspective and spatial relationships.
Here we see several geometric forms stacked upon one another. A dark, bottle-like shape occupies the central position, its form broken into planes that suggest multiple viewpoints simultaneously. To its left, a blue angular structure intersects with the darker volume, while below it lies a red-brown plane, also fractured and angled. The interplay of these shapes creates a sense of instability and visual complexity.
The artist’s handling of paint is notable; brushstrokes are visible, contributing to the overall textural quality of the work. Theres an intentional lack of smooth blending, which emphasizes the construction process rather than attempting to create illusionistic depth. The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing blues, reds, browns and blacks, with occasional highlights of white that serve to define edges and planes.
The arrangement suggests a deliberate deconstruction of traditional still life conventions. Rather than representing objects in a recognizable manner, the artist seems more interested in exploring their formal qualities – shape, volume, and color – through an analytical lens. The fragmentation and reassembly of forms could be interpreted as a reflection of a world undergoing significant change or upheaval, mirroring a desire to dismantle established structures and explore new modes of representation. The absence of any narrative element further reinforces the focus on pure form and visual structure, inviting contemplation of the inherent qualities of the objects themselves rather than their symbolic meaning.