1959 Mandoline, cruche et verre III Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and distorted style. A stringed instrument, likely a mandolin given its characteristic shape, dominates the left side of the canvas. Its form is deconstructed into geometric planes of red, black, and white, with the neck extending at an oblique angle that disrupts conventional perspective. The body of the instrument appears flattened and fragmented, suggesting a simultaneous view from multiple angles.
To the right of the mandolin stands a vessel, possibly a pitcher or carafe, depicted in shades of green and blue. Its cylindrical form is similarly broken down into facets, with a circular aperture serving as an eye-like feature that draws attention to its presence. A glass, partially visible beneath the vessel, introduces further geometric complexity through its angular outline and contrasting colors.
The background is characterized by swirling lines and concentric circles in yellow, blue, and white, creating a sense of dynamism and visual vibration. These patterns seem to emanate from the central objects, enveloping them within an atmosphere of restless energy. The lower portion of the canvas features a band of undulating forms that echo the movement of the background, grounding the composition while maintaining its overall instability.
The artist’s use of color is deliberate and expressive. The bold contrasts between red, green, blue, black, and white contribute to the paintings visual intensity and reinforce the sense of fragmentation. There is a notable absence of naturalistic shading or modeling; instead, forms are defined by sharp outlines and flat planes of color.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of perception and representation. The deconstruction of recognizable objects challenges conventional notions of reality and invites viewers to question how we construct meaning through visual experience. The fractured forms may also suggest a sense of psychological or emotional disruption, hinting at an underlying tension beneath the surface of the still life arrangement. The swirling background could be interpreted as representing the subjective nature of memory or the fluidity of time. Overall, the painting conveys a feeling of disorientation and ambiguity, prompting reflection on the limitations of visual understanding.