1908 Fleurs dans une cruche grise et verre de vin avec cuiller Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a gray vase brimming with flowers. A glass, partially filled with liquid, and a spoon are positioned adjacent to the vase on what appears to be a table or surface. The background is rendered in muted tones of green and gray, creating an atmosphere of quietude and restraint.
The artist’s handling of form deviates from traditional representational approaches. The flowers themselves are not depicted with botanical accuracy; instead, they are simplified into planes and shapes, their forms somewhat abstracted. This treatment extends to the vase, which is similarly reduced to geometric volumes. The glass exhibits a similar simplification, its transparency suggested rather than explicitly defined.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by grays, greens, and muted oranges. These colors contribute to the overall somber mood of the work. The limited range of hues directs attention towards the arrangements formal qualities – the interplay of shapes and planes – rather than a vibrant display of color.
A notable element is the dark circular shape on the table surface. Its precise function remains ambiguous; it could be interpreted as a shadow, a decorative detail, or even an intentional disruption of the scene’s perceived order. This ambiguity introduces a layer of complexity to the work, prompting contemplation beyond the immediate visual elements.
The arrangement suggests a moment of quiet domesticity, yet the formal distortions and subdued palette prevent sentimentality. The artist seems less interested in portraying a faithful likeness of objects than in exploring their essential forms and spatial relationships. There is an underlying sense of introspection, as if the scene were observed through a veil of melancholy or contemplation. The work invites viewers to consider not just what is depicted but also how it is presented – the deliberate choices made by the artist in shaping our perception of reality.