1937 Nature morte au verre 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 grouping of objects – a glass, a fruit (likely a lemon or orange), and a vessel – arranged against a dark, almost black background that absorbs light and emphasizes the forms in front. The artist employed a limited palette dominated by blues, yellows, whites, and blacks, with touches of pink on the fruit.
The glass is perhaps the most striking element; it’s deconstructed into geometric planes, its transparency suggested through contrasting shades rather than literal depiction. It appears to be simultaneously viewed from multiple perspectives, defying conventional spatial representation. The vessel, positioned to the left, echoes this fragmentation, with its form broken down into angular shapes and a distorted surface. The fruit, situated on the right side of the canvas, is similarly abstracted, though it retains a slightly more recognizable shape than the other elements.
The artist’s technique involves bold brushstrokes and abrupt transitions in color and tone. This contributes to a sense of dynamism and instability within the composition. Theres an intentional lack of depth; objects appear flattened and compressed against the picture plane. The absence of traditional shading or modeling further reinforces this effect, emphasizing the two-dimensionality of the work.
Subtly, the arrangement seems to convey a feeling of disruption and disorientation. The fractured forms suggest a world seen through a shattered lens, where perception is fragmented and reality is unstable. This could be interpreted as a reflection on the anxieties of a period marked by political upheaval and social fragmentation. The limited color range contributes to a somber mood, while the sharp angles and abrupt transitions create a sense of tension. While ostensibly a still life, the work transcends mere representation, hinting at deeper psychological or symbolic meanings related to perception, reality, and the human condition.