Picasso, Pablo – The table in the cafe Hermitage ~ part 09

The composition presents a fragmented scene centered around a café table. The artist has deconstructed recognizable forms into geometric planes and overlapping perspectives, creating a sense of simultaneity rather than depth. A figure, seemingly seated at the table, is rendered in a similar fractured style, its features abstracted to essential shapes.
A prominent element is the tabletop itself, depicted with an intricate pattern of orange and brown hues that suggest both texture and movement. Around this central point, various objects are scattered – a glass or bottle bearing advertising text (Perrier Pils), cutlery, and other indiscernible items – all treated with the same analytical approach to form.
Behind the table, a backdrop emerges as a collage of textual elements and architectural fragments. Large, blocky letters appear to be part of an advertisement, partially obscured and integrated into the overall design. These letters contribute to the feeling of urban density and visual overload characteristic of modern city life. The backgrounds color palette shifts between muted pinks, greens, and grays, further enhancing the sense of disorientation and fractured perception.
The painting’s subtexts seem to revolve around themes of modernity, fragmentation, and the experience of urban space. The deconstruction of form suggests a questioning of traditional perspective and representation, reflecting the rapid changes occurring in society at the time. The inclusion of advertising imagery hints at the pervasive influence of commercialism on everyday life. The overall effect is one of visual complexity and intellectual challenge, inviting the viewer to actively engage with the work and reconstruct its meaning from the scattered fragments presented. Theres a sense that the artist isn’t merely depicting a scene but rather analyzing it – breaking down its components to reveal their underlying structure and relationships.