1907 Pots et citron Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. Here we observe two vessels – likely pots – depicted with distorted forms and sharp angles. Their shapes are not presented as unified objects but rather as collections of planes intersecting at various points, disrupting any sense of traditional perspective or spatial depth. A lemon sits prominently near the bottom edge, its form similarly broken down into geometric components.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by muted blues, browns, and creams with touches of yellow highlighting the lemon. These colors are applied in broad strokes, contributing to the overall feeling of angularity and deconstruction. The background appears as a continuation of this fractured space, lacking any clear delineation between foreground and backdrop.
The artist’s approach suggests an interest not in replicating visual reality but in exploring the underlying structure of forms. By dismantling recognizable objects into their constituent parts, the work challenges conventional notions of representation. This process implies a focus on the conceptual understanding of these items rather than their superficial appearance. The sharp lines and angularity create a sense of tension and dynamism within the composition; there is an absence of softness or curves that might offer respite from this visual fragmentation.
Subtly, one might interpret the deconstruction as a metaphor for the instability of perception itself. The viewer is denied a comfortable, unified view, forced instead to actively piece together the fragmented elements. This invites contemplation on how we construct meaning and understanding from sensory input – a process that is inherently subjective and prone to distortion. The lemons bright yellow provides a focal point amidst the muted tones, perhaps symbolizing a fleeting moment of clarity or vitality within this otherwise fractured reality.