1944 Nature morte au bougeoir R1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arranged against a pale blue background. A horizontal plane dominates the foreground, serving as a platform for the objects depicted. The artist has employed a limited palette primarily consisting of blues, yellows, whites, and blacks, with subtle touches of purple and orange adding visual complexity.
Here we see a candlestick holding a lit candle on the left side. Its form is rendered in shades of yellow and gold, suggesting illumination and warmth. The structure of the candlestick itself appears fragmented, its components seemingly disconnected yet unified by their shared color scheme. To the right, a complex arrangement of geometric shapes coalesces into what might be interpreted as fruit or a vessel containing organic matter. These forms are delineated with sharp lines and planes, characteristic of a fractured perspective.
Behind these objects stands a rectangular structure, possibly a framed picture or mirror, its surface adorned with decorative elements in yellow and gold. A series of intersecting black lines traverse the canvas diagonally, creating a sense of depth and spatial ambiguity. They appear to be ropes or wires, adding an element of tension and visual disruption to the scene.
The artist’s use of perspective is deliberately distorted; objects are presented from multiple viewpoints simultaneously, challenging conventional notions of space and representation. The flattened planes and fragmented forms contribute to a sense of abstraction, moving beyond mere depiction towards a conceptual exploration of form and perception.
Subtly, theres an underlying feeling of melancholy or introspection evoked by the muted color scheme and the stillness of the objects. The candle’s light, while present, doesn’t dispel the overall somber mood. The arrangement feels deliberate, almost staged, suggesting a contemplation on themes of memory, loss, or the passage of time – a quiet reflection within a confined space.