1946 LaiguiКre ВtoilВe Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The drawing presents a domestic object – a coffee pot – rendered in a style that emphasizes linearity and simplification. The artist has employed a limited palette primarily consisting of shades of blue, gray, and white, creating a muted, almost monochromatic effect. Lines are bold and decisive, outlining the form of the pot with an immediacy that suggests a rapid execution. There is a deliberate lack of shading or tonal variation beyond this basic outline, which contributes to the object’s flattened appearance.
Behind the coffee pot lies a background suggestive of a flag. The arrangement of horizontal bands in alternating colors – red and white – is discernible, as are stylized star-like shapes scattered across a field of blue. These elements are not rendered with photographic accuracy; instead, they appear fragmented and abstracted, almost dissolving into the overall texture of the paper.
The juxtaposition of the commonplace object against this symbolic backdrop introduces layers of potential interpretation. The coffee pot, an emblem of daily routine and domesticity, is placed in relation to a national symbol – a visual pairing that could be read as a commentary on the intersection of personal experience and broader societal or political contexts. The abstraction of both elements further complicates this reading; the flags recognizable form is diminished, while the coffee pot’s solidity is undermined by its simplified rendering.
The artist’s signature, located in the lower right corner, appears as a hurried inscription, reinforcing the impression of spontaneity and immediacy that characterizes the entire work. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to consider the significance of ordinary objects within a larger cultural framework.