1916 Femme-Guitare sur une table Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

Here we observe a composition rendered in colored pencil on paper, characterized by its fragmented and abstracted forms. The arrangement appears to depict a figure seated before a guitar placed upon a table. However, conventional notions of representation are significantly disrupted through the artists deliberate deconstruction of perspective and anatomy.
The female form is not presented as a unified whole but rather as a series of geometric blocks – predominantly rectangular and trapezoidal – arranged in an overlapping fashion. The face, suggested by a small circular element, lacks detail and appears almost incidental to the overall structure. A dark blue block dominates the torso area, while green and grey tones define other sections, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity.
The guitar is similarly disassembled; its shape is recognizable but broken down into planes that shift in orientation relative to one another. The table surface, indicated by a horizontal line and supporting forms, seems to tilt at an unusual angle, further contributing to the disorientation of space. Curvilinear lines, resembling stylized tendrils or decorative elements, weave around the figures and guitar, adding a layer of visual complexity and softening the harshness of the geometric shapes.
The color palette is restrained, relying on muted greens, blues, greys, and purples. The limited range contributes to a somber mood and reinforces the sense of detachment from reality. The drawing’s lines are tentative and sketchy, suggesting a process of exploration rather than definitive statement.
Subtly, one might interpret this arrangement as an investigation into the nature of perception itself. By dismantling recognizable forms, the artist challenges the viewer to actively reconstruct meaning. The fragmented figure could symbolize vulnerability or alienation, while the guitar – a traditional symbol of music and expression – is rendered in a similarly fractured state, perhaps hinting at a disruption of artistic conventions or emotional release. The overall effect is one of quiet introspection, inviting contemplation on themes of identity, representation, and the fragility of human experience.