1945 Poireaux, tete de poisson crГne et pichet Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. Here we observe a grouping of objects – leeks, a fish head, a skull, and a pitcher – all depicted with sharp angles and geometric planes. The artist has eschewed traditional perspective; instead, multiple viewpoints are simultaneously presented within the same pictorial space. This creates a sense of disorientation and challenges conventional notions of representation.
The palette is restrained, dominated by cool tones: grays, blues, and whites. A muted green appears as an accent color, highlighting the leeks. The limited range contributes to a somber and unsettling atmosphere. Light sources are ambiguous; shadows are flattened and lack depth, further emphasizing the two-dimensionality of the work.
The arrangement itself is laden with symbolic weight. The presence of the skull immediately introduces themes of mortality and decay. Juxtaposed against the leeks – traditionally associated with sustenance and growth – this creates a stark contrast between life and death. The fish head, often a symbol of abundance or even sacrifice in certain cultural contexts, adds another layer of complexity to this interplay. The pitcher, seemingly mundane, becomes an integral part of this symbolic dialogue, perhaps representing containment or the preservation of something fragile.
The fractured forms suggest a breakdown of order and stability. This visual fragmentation can be interpreted as reflecting a sense of trauma or disruption, hinting at a world shattered by conflict. The artist’s choice to depict these objects in such a disjointed manner implies an attempt to grapple with difficult realities, perhaps those experienced during a period marked by significant upheaval.
The overall effect is one of quiet intensity and profound melancholy. While the subject matter might appear commonplace, the artists manipulation of form and color elevates it to a meditation on loss, fragility, and the enduring presence of mortality.