1921 Composition Е la boМte de cigares bleue * Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a fragmented still life arranged within a shallow pictorial space. The artist has deconstructed recognizable forms into geometric planes and intersecting lines, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity. A dominant rectangular shape, rendered in muted browns and ochres, occupies the upper left quadrant, partially obscuring what appears to be a cylindrical form in greyish-black tones positioned behind it.
A central white plane acts as a visual anchor, its crisp edges contrasting with the surrounding fractured forms. A thin, dark line bisects this plane, adding a dynamic element and further disrupting any illusion of depth. To the right, a reddish-brown structure rises from the lower portion of the canvas, serving as a pedestal for an irregularly shaped area containing densely packed text. This textual component is framed by a blue outline, drawing attention to its presence while simultaneously obscuring its content.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing earth tones and muted blues with occasional accents of white. The brushwork appears deliberate, contributing to the overall sense of controlled chaos. Theres an intentional flattening of perspective; objects are not rendered in a way that suggests three-dimensionality but rather exist as discrete planes within the same picture plane.
Subtly, the arrangement evokes a feeling of displacement and disorientation. The fragmented nature of the forms could be interpreted as reflecting a fractured reality or a questioning of traditional representational methods. The inclusion of text, though illegible, hints at communication or narrative that has been disrupted or rendered incomprehensible. The overall effect is one of intellectual engagement rather than purely aesthetic pleasure; it invites contemplation on perception, representation, and the nature of meaning itself.