1962 Nature morte, chat et homard Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1962-1973

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and distorted style. A feline figure dominates the upper portion of the canvas, its form abstracted into angular planes and simplified shapes. The cats gaze is directed towards a lobster positioned centrally within the scene. This crustacean, also deconstructed into geometric elements, appears to be partially concealed on a table surface.
Below the lobster, one discerns what seems to be a fish, similarly fragmented and rendered with an emphasis on sharp lines and contrasting colors. The arrangement is not presented in a conventional perspective; spatial relationships are ambiguous, and objects overlap in unexpected ways. A dark, almost black shape resembling a draped cloth or perhaps another animal form occupies the left side of the canvas, adding to the sense of visual complexity.
The color palette is characterized by earthy tones – ochres, greens, blacks – interspersed with vibrant reds used for the lobster and fish. These bursts of color draw attention to these elements while simultaneously contributing to the overall feeling of tension within the composition. The background is a blend of yellow and green hues, creating an atmosphere that feels both warm and unsettling.
Beyond the purely visual aspects, the painting seems to explore themes of predation and mortality. The cats intense focus on the lobster suggests a dynamic of hunter and prey. The fragmented nature of the objects could be interpreted as symbolizing their vulnerability or impermanence. The still life genre itself, traditionally associated with abundance and celebration, is here subverted by this sense of disquiet and fragmentation.
The artist’s deliberate distortion of form challenges conventional notions of representation, inviting viewers to engage with the work on a more conceptual level. Its not merely an observation of objects but rather an exploration of their essence through abstraction and symbolic juxtaposition.