1924 Nature morte Е la galette Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. A guitar dominates the left side of the canvas, its form deconstructed into geometric planes that overlap and intersect. The instruments curves are simplified, almost abstracted, losing any sense of realistic representation. Adjacent to it sits what appears to be a bowl or container, its shape similarly broken down into angular segments. The interior reveals a cluster of fruit – likely apples – depicted with flattened forms and limited tonal variation.
A table surface occupies the foreground, delineated by a series of intersecting lines that create a sense of instability and visual disruption. A partially visible sheet of paper or cloth lies upon it, its texture suggested through a pattern of short, parallel strokes. The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing earth tones – ochre, brown, gray – with accents of purple and orange. These colors are applied in broad areas, contributing to the overall flatness of the image.
The background is ambiguous, defined by vertical planes that suggest a window or wall. This backdrop does not offer depth but rather serves as another surface for the interplay of geometric forms. The artist’s signature appears discreetly in the lower right corner.
Beyond the immediate depiction of objects, the work seems to explore themes of perception and representation. The fragmentation of form suggests a deliberate rejection of traditional perspective and naturalistic rendering. It implies an interest in how we construct our understanding of reality through visual experience – how objects are not seen as unified wholes but rather as collections of shapes and colors that interact with one another. The limited color range and flattened space contribute to a sense of detachment, suggesting a focus on the formal qualities of the composition over any narrative or emotional content. There is an underlying tension between order (the geometric structure) and chaos (the fractured forms), which invites contemplation about the nature of visual perception and artistic construction.