1937 Nature morte Е la bougie l Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a style characterized by fractured forms and a limited palette. A table surface, painted in shades of orange-red, serves as the foundation for the objects depicted. Two distinct vessels dominate the scene; one is positioned centrally, while the other sits to the right. The central vessel appears fragmented, its form broken into angular planes and reassembled with an apparent disregard for conventional perspective. It supports a cluster of fruit – likely figs – whose forms are similarly distorted and abstracted.
The second vessel, situated on the right side, exhibits a more rounded shape, though it too is subject to the artist’s characteristic deconstruction. Its contours are irregular, suggesting a sense of instability or transformation. A vibrant sunflower bursts from the top of the central vessel, its petals rendered in sharp yellows and greens that provide a striking contrast against the darker tones of the surrounding objects.
The background is treated with broad strokes of white and grey, creating an ambiguous spatial depth. The lighting appears diffuse, lacking a clear source, which contributes to the overall sense of disorientation. A date – 37-1-37 – is inscribed in the lower left corner, providing a chronological anchor for the work.
Beyond the purely visual elements, the painting seems to explore themes of fragmentation and reconstruction. The deliberate disruption of recognizable forms suggests an interest in challenging traditional notions of representation. The juxtaposition of organic shapes (the fruit, sunflower) with geometric ones (the vessels) creates a tension between naturalism and abstraction. The limited color range reinforces this sense of austerity and introspection. It is possible to interpret the work as reflecting a broader cultural anxiety – a response to the political and social upheavals of the 1930s – through its depiction of brokenness and reassembly. The sunflower, often associated with hope and vitality, offers a potential counterpoint to the prevailing sense of disruption, suggesting an underlying resilience or possibility for renewal amidst chaos.