1947 Nature morte, crГne et oursins Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a stark, fragmented style. A skull dominates the left side of the canvas, its features simplified and delineated with bold black lines against a muted grey-blue background. The skull sits upon what appears to be a table or surface, also constructed from angular planes. To the right of the skull, within an elongated, dish-like form, are clustered objects resembling sea urchins – their spiny textures suggested through short, energetic brushstrokes in shades of yellow and brown.
The arrangement is further complicated by a series of overlapping forms that suggest draped fabric or crumpled paper. These elements introduce a sense of instability and visual disarray, contributing to the overall feeling of deconstruction. The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing grey, blue, black, green, and touches of yellow and brown. This limited range enhances the paintings somber mood and emphasizes the formal qualities of line and shape.
Beyond the literal depiction of objects, the work seems to explore themes of mortality and transience. The presence of the skull is a direct symbol of death, while the scattered, fragmented nature of the other elements suggests decay and disintegration. The sea urchins, often associated with vulnerability and hidden dangers beneath a prickly exterior, add another layer of complexity.
The artists deliberate distortion of perspective and the flattening of space create a sense of alienation and detachment. It is not an attempt to represent reality faithfully but rather to convey a psychological or emotional state – one marked by contemplation on impermanence and perhaps even a subtle undercurrent of anxiety. The overall effect is one of unsettling beauty, where familiar objects are rendered strange through the artist’s unique visual language.