1913 Verre sur un guВridon Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a fragmented still life, constructed from geometric forms and planes that disrupt traditional perspective. A central, rectangular element dominates the visual field; its surface is rendered with a complex network of lines suggesting both architectural structure and abstract design. This form appears to be positioned atop a circular base, which itself seems to float within the surrounding space.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing shades of black, white, and muted orange. The orange areas are patterned with floral motifs, adding a layer of decorative complexity that contrasts with the stark geometry elsewhere in the work. These patterns appear as flattened surfaces, integrated into the overall structure rather than appearing as realistically depicted flowers.
The artist’s approach to depicting space is particularly noteworthy. Theres an absence of traditional depth cues; instead, multiple viewpoints are presented simultaneously, creating a sense of disorientation and challenging the viewer’s perception. The overlapping planes suggest a layering effect, where different aspects of the subject are revealed at once. This technique dismantles any illusion of a unified, coherent scene.
Subtly embedded within this fractured arrangement are hints of recognizable objects – a suggestion of glass or reflective surface is present in the central form, and floral elements appear both as patterned surfaces and as isolated details. However, these elements are not presented in a conventional manner; they are deconstructed and reassembled into an abstract configuration.
The work seems to explore themes of perception, representation, and the breakdown of traditional artistic conventions. The deliberate fragmentation and geometric abstraction suggest a desire to move beyond mimetic representation towards a more conceptual understanding of form and space. It implies a focus on the act of seeing itself, rather than simply depicting what is seen.