1945 Pichet, bougeoir et casserole ВmaillВe Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and geometric style. Here we observe three distinct objects arranged on a table with a dark, undefined background. To the left stands a pitcher, its form deconstructed into angular planes of white, black, and grey. The vessel’s shape is recognizable but abstracted, suggesting a simultaneous view from multiple perspectives.
Centered in the arrangement is a candlestick holding a lit candle. The flame itself is depicted as a sharp, triangular form, contrasting with the more rounded shapes surrounding it. The candlesticks base exhibits an intricate, spiraling design, also broken down into geometric components. Its metallic sheen is suggested through variations in yellow and brown tones.
To the right of the candlestick sits a blue pot with a long-handled ladle resting within its interior. Like the other objects, this element is not presented realistically; instead, it’s composed of simplified shapes and planes that define its form. The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing black, white, grey, yellow, and blue, contributing to a sense of austerity and formality.
The table surface itself is rendered in shades of red and brown, providing a grounding element for the floating forms above. Its flatness emphasizes the two-dimensionality of the work.
Subtly, the arrangement evokes themes of domesticity and sustenance. The pitcher might suggest water or another essential liquid, while the pot and ladle imply cooking and nourishment. However, the fractured representation distances these everyday objects from their conventional meaning. They become symbols rather than representations of reality. The candle flame introduces a note of fragility and transience, potentially alluding to themes of memory, loss, or the passage of time.
The overall effect is one of intellectual detachment; the artist seems less interested in depicting the objects themselves than in exploring their formal qualities – shape, color, and spatial relationships – within a rigorously structured composition. The work’s fragmented nature invites contemplation on perception, representation, and the inherent instability of reality.