1912 Bouteille, verre et journal sur une table Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The drawing presents a still life arrangement composed of commonplace objects: a bottle, a glass, and a newspaper resting on what appears to be a table surface. The artist has rendered these items with a stark simplicity, employing primarily black lines against an off-white background. There is a deliberate reduction in detail; forms are suggested rather than meticulously defined.
The composition lacks depth or perspective as traditionally understood. Instead, the objects seem flattened and fragmented, their outlines intersecting and overlapping in a manner that disrupts any sense of spatial coherence. The bottle’s form, for instance, is not presented as a unified cylinder but broken down into angular planes. Similarly, the glass appears as a series of interconnected lines rather than a transparent vessel.
The newspaper fragment introduces textual elements to the scene. A partial phrase – UN COUP DE THE – is visible on its surface, hinting at a narrative or commentary that remains incomplete and enigmatic. This inclusion of text suggests an interest in the interplay between image and language, blurring the boundaries between representation and communication.
The overall effect is one of deconstruction and reassembly. The artist seems to be dismantling familiar objects into their constituent parts, then reconstructing them on the page in a new, unconventional arrangement. Theres a sense of immediacy and spontaneity; the lines are confident and decisive, suggesting a rapid execution.
Subtly, the drawing conveys a feeling of alienation or detachment. The lack of emotional expression in the rendering, coupled with the fragmented forms, creates a distance between the viewer and the depicted objects. It is not an attempt to capture a realistic likeness but rather to explore the underlying structure and essence of these everyday items through a process of abstraction.