1911 Nature morte Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The drawing presents a still life composition rendered in a fragmented and abstracted style. Here we observe a collection of objects arranged on what appears to be a table or surface, though its form is not clearly defined due to the deconstruction of perspective. The artist has broken down recognizable forms into geometric planes – predominantly triangles, rectangles, and trapezoids – which overlap and intersect one another.
The arrangement lacks a conventional sense of depth; instead, multiple viewpoints seem simultaneously present within the same space. This flattening effect contributes to a feeling of disorientation and challenges traditional notions of pictorial representation. A bowl or container is visible near the center, its form similarly fractured into angular shapes. Beneath it, a cylindrical object rests on an ornate pedestal, which itself is rendered with sharp lines and geometric detailing.
The monochromatic palette emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow across these planes, creating a sense of volume despite the overall flatness. The artist’s hand is evident in the energetic linework that defines the edges of each form, suggesting a deliberate construction rather than a faithful depiction of reality.
Subtly, theres an exploration of perception itself. The work seems to question how we understand and interpret three-dimensional objects when viewed through multiple perspectives at once. It suggests a move away from mimetic representation towards a more conceptual engagement with form and space. The deliberate disruption of spatial coherence implies a desire to dismantle established conventions of artistic portrayal, hinting at an interest in exploring the underlying structures that constitute our visual experience.