1947 Les cerises Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arrangement dominated by a vessel overflowing with cherries. The artist has rendered the scene in a style characterized by fractured planes and simplified forms, indicative of a Cubist influence. A muted palette prevails, primarily utilizing shades of grey, beige, and ochre for the background and supporting structures, while the cherries themselves introduce bursts of red and pink.
The vessel itself is not depicted realistically; instead, it appears as an assemblage of geometric shapes – triangles, rectangles, and curved planes – that intersect and overlap. This deconstruction dismantles any sense of traditional perspective or depth. The cherries are similarly abstracted, appearing as circular forms with varying degrees of shading to suggest volume and light reflection. Their arrangement is dense and chaotic, spilling out from the vessel in a manner that disrupts the formal structure.
The background is textured with short, energetic brushstrokes, creating a visual vibration that contrasts with the more static nature of the objects themselves. A sense of immediacy and spontaneity permeates the work; the application of paint seems rapid and uncalculated.
Beyond the purely visual elements, the painting evokes a feeling of melancholy or quiet contemplation. The subdued color scheme contributes to this mood, while the fragmented forms suggest a breakdown or disintegration of traditional representation. The cherries, typically associated with abundance and pleasure, are presented in a manner that diminishes their celebratory potential; they appear almost trapped within the angular confines of the vessel.
The artist’s choice to depict commonplace objects – cherries and a simple container – elevates them to symbolic status. They become stand-ins for larger themes of loss, memory, or the passage of time. The fractured nature of the composition could be interpreted as a visual metaphor for the fragmentation of experience itself, reflecting a sense of disorientation or alienation. Ultimately, the work invites reflection on the transient nature of beauty and the complexities of human perception.