1945 Poireaux, crГne, lampe et vase Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arranged on a table surface, rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. A predominantly yellow background provides a stark contrast to the muted palette of blues, grays, whites, and blacks that define the objects themselves. The artist has deconstructed recognizable forms, presenting them from multiple viewpoints simultaneously.
A central lamp dominates the scene, its form broken into geometric planes. Light emanates from within, represented by a cluster of radiating lines suggesting illumination but also hinting at instability or disintegration. To the right of the lamp stands a vase, similarly disassembled and reassembled in an unconventional manner. Its contours are ambiguous, blurring the line between vessel and abstract shape.
On the left side, a figure is suggested – a head, perhaps – constructed from angular blocks. The eyes appear as simple circles within a dark recess, conveying a sense of detachment or introspection. Below this form, several leeks (poireaux) are scattered across the table surface, their elongated shapes echoing the verticality of the other elements. A few small, indistinct objects lie near them, possibly representing bones (crâne), adding a layer of symbolic complexity.
The table itself is not depicted as a continuous plane but rather as a series of intersecting planes, further contributing to the overall sense of fragmentation. The artist’s use of line and form creates a visual tension, preventing easy interpretation. The arrangement feels deliberately arbitrary, challenging conventional notions of perspective and representation.
Subtexts within this work seem to revolve around themes of destruction, reconstruction, and the fragility of perception. The fractured forms could be interpreted as metaphors for trauma or loss, while the act of reassembling them suggests a process of rebuilding or understanding. The presence of the leeks and bones introduces elements of mortality and sustenance, grounding the abstract composition in a tangible reality. Ultimately, the painting invites contemplation on the nature of representation and the subjective experience of viewing the world.