1942 Nature morte au panier de fruits Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. Here we observe a collection of objects – what appear to be fruits contained within a basket – arranged against a backdrop of geometric planes. The artist has eschewed traditional perspective, instead opting for multiple viewpoints presented simultaneously.
The dominant visual element is the angular construction that occupies the left portion of the canvas. This structure, composed of dark browns and blacks with vertical striations, seems to both contain and obscure the fruit basket. A series of green circles are embedded within this form, their placement suggesting a deliberate disruption of spatial coherence. The basket itself is rendered in muted grays and whites, its contours distorted by the surrounding geometric shapes.
Emerging from behind and around the basket are several slender, upright forms – likely stems or branches – painted in shades of yellow, red, and gray. These elements contribute to a sense of visual complexity and further dismantle any illusion of depth. The artist’s brushwork is visible throughout, with short, choppy strokes adding texture and emphasizing the fractured nature of the scene.
The color palette is restrained, primarily consisting of grays, browns, blacks, yellows, reds, and greens. This limited range contributes to a somber and introspective mood. The overall effect is one of deconstruction and reassembly – a deliberate dismantling of traditional still life conventions.
Subtly, the painting suggests themes of confinement and fragmentation. The angular forms seem to press in on the fruit, hinting at a sense of restriction or enclosure. The fractured perspective could be interpreted as reflecting a disrupted reality, perhaps alluding to anxieties prevalent during the period in which it was created. While seemingly straightforward in subject matter, the work invites contemplation regarding perception, representation, and the fragility of order.