1919 Verre, bouquet, guitare, bouteille Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. A table serves as the primary plane for the objects displayed: a guitar dominates the central space, its form deconstructed into geometric shapes and planes of varying hues. Above it sits a vessel containing what appears to be fruit – likely grapes – arranged within an abstract bowl. To the right, a bottle stands upright, its contours similarly simplified and abstracted. A small, indistinct floral element is nestled near the guitars neck.
The color palette is characterized by bold contrasts and dissonant harmonies. Ochre, green, blue, red, and black are employed in distinct blocks, creating a sense of visual tension rather than naturalistic representation. The interplay of these colors contributes to the overall feeling of instability and disorientation.
Spatial relationships are ambiguous; perspective is flattened and traditional depth cues are absent. Objects seem to overlap and intersect without adhering to conventional rules of spatial organization. This deliberate disregard for realism suggests an interest in exploring the formal qualities of shape, color, and line rather than depicting a faithful representation of reality.
The arrangement itself carries potential symbolic weight. The guitar, often associated with music, performance, and cultural expression, is presented as broken or disassembled, perhaps hinting at themes of disruption or loss. The fruit within the vessel could symbolize abundance or fertility, but its placement atop the fragmented guitar introduces an element of fragility or impermanence. The bottle, a common symbol for containment or preservation, stands alongside these elements, adding another layer to the complex interplay of meaning.
The background is equally ambiguous, with planes of color suggesting walls or curtains without providing any clear indication of setting. This lack of contextualization further emphasizes the paintings focus on the formal and symbolic aspects of the still life arrangement. The overall effect is one of intellectual inquiry rather than emotional expression; a deliberate exploration of form and meaning through fragmentation and abstraction.