1923 Verre sur une table Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a fragmented still life arranged within a defined rectangular border. The central focus is drawn towards a cluster of geometric forms rendered in muted greens, whites, and browns. These shapes appear to be abstracted representations of glassware, possibly vessels or containers, though their precise form remains ambiguous due to the fractured perspective. A circular element, colored brown, punctuates the arrangement, acting as a focal point within the green section.
The artist has employed a palette dominated by earthy tones – ochres, browns, and muted greens – interspersed with areas of lilac and cream. The application of paint appears textured; close inspection reveals visible brushstrokes that contribute to a sense of surface complexity. This texture is particularly noticeable in the larger brown field, where it creates a granular effect.
The arrangement isnt presented from a single viewpoint. Instead, multiple perspectives are layered upon one another, creating a disorienting spatial experience. The objects seem simultaneously close and distant, solid and transparent. This fragmentation disrupts conventional notions of depth and realism.
Framing the central still life are larger geometric blocks – a lilac-tinged rectangle on the left and a brown field on the right – which serve to compartmentalize the scene. These fields arent merely background elements; they actively participate in the composition, creating visual barriers and defining zones of perception. A thin white border surrounds the entire arrangement, further emphasizing its contained nature.
Subtextually, the work seems preoccupied with the deconstruction of form and the exploration of perceptual ambiguity. The fractured perspective suggests a questioning of traditional representational methods, hinting at an interest in how we construct meaning through visual experience. The muted color palette contributes to a sense of introspection and quiet contemplation, while the geometric abstraction evokes a feeling of order imposed upon inherent chaos. Its possible to interpret this as a reflection on the fragility of perception or the subjective nature of reality.