1937 Maisons et arbres Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a fragmented view of what appears to be a domestic landscape. Several structures, identifiable as houses, dominate the left side of the canvas. Their forms are simplified and angular, with sharply defined edges and flat planes that suggest a deliberate rejection of traditional perspective. Windows appear as geometric voids, some screened by rudimentary gridded patterns, hinting at interior spaces without revealing their contents. The roofs exhibit varied shapes – gabled, hipped, and flat – contributing to the overall sense of disjointedness.
To the right, an assemblage of circular forms rises, resembling stylized trees or mechanical components. These elements are rendered in a cool blue palette with dark outlines, creating a stark contrast against the warmer tones of the buildings. The repetition of these circular motifs suggests a pattern, perhaps alluding to industrial processes or natural cycles abstracted into geometric shapes.
The foreground is occupied by a low wall constructed from rectangular blocks, also simplified and angular. A few sparse plants emerge from this structure, their forms rendered with broad strokes of green and blue. These elements offer a slight softening effect against the rigid geometry of the buildings and mechanical trees.
The color scheme is dominated by yellows, greens, and blues, applied in flat planes without significant shading or blending. This contributes to a sense of artificiality and detachment from observed reality. The light source appears diffuse and even, casting no distinct shadows and further flattening the pictorial space.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of urbanization and industrializations impact on traditional landscapes. The juxtaposition of domestic architecture with mechanical forms suggests a tension between human habitation and technological advancement. The fragmentation of perspective and simplification of form could be interpreted as an expression of alienation or a commentary on the loss of organic connection in modern life. The overall effect is one of unsettling order, where familiar elements are rearranged into an unfamiliar and somewhat disquieting configuration.