1914 Verre, dВ, journal Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a fragmented still life arranged against a muted, greenish-yellow background. A central, roughly cylindrical form dominates the view; its surface is rendered with textured brushstrokes in shades of brown and ochre, suggesting a vessel or perhaps an abstracted figure. This element appears to be positioned on a tilted plane that bisects the canvas diagonally.
To the right of this central object, a series of geometric shapes are layered – rectangular blocks in varying tones of brown, black, and white. These forms seem almost like architectural elements or fragments of printed material. A section displaying the word Heure (French for “hour”) is prominently positioned at the upper right corner, rendered in bold, blocky lettering that further contributes to the overall sense of deconstruction.
The artist’s signature appears in the upper left corner, written in a fluid script contrasting with the angularity of the composition. The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing earth tones and muted greens, which lends a somber quality to the scene.
Subtly, the work conveys a sense of disruption and displacement. The tilted plane destabilizes the arrangement, while the fractured forms suggest a breakdown of traditional perspective and representation. The inclusion of Heure introduces a temporal element – a moment frozen or fragmented – which could be interpreted as reflecting a broader sense of loss or uncertainty. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to piece together the meaning from these disparate elements.