1912 Bouteille de Pernod (Table dans un CafВ) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1908-1918

The composition presents a fragmented view of what appears to be a table setting within a café environment. The artist dismantled conventional perspective, opting instead for a multiplicity of viewpoints presented simultaneously. Objects are not rendered realistically but broken down into geometric planes and facets, reassembled in an unconventional manner that challenges the viewers perception of spatial relationships.
A central element is a bottle, identifiable by its label bearing text – PERNOD Fils – which anchors the scene to a specific commercial product and suggests a social context of leisure and consumption. The bottle’s form is deconstructed into angular shapes, echoing the overall aesthetic of fractured representation. A glass, similarly fragmented, sits adjacent to it.
Behind these objects, a backdrop reveals snippets of signage – SACRE BLEU – suggesting an outdoor café or terrace setting. These textual elements are integrated into the composition as visual forms rather than conveying explicit meaning; they contribute to the overall pattern of fractured imagery and reinforce the sense of a fleeting, fragmented experience.
The table itself is not depicted as a continuous surface but appears as a series of overlapping planes, further disrupting any illusion of depth or solidity. The color palette is muted – dominated by ochres, browns, grays, and touches of blue – which contributes to a somber, almost melancholic atmosphere.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of modernity, urban life, and the impact of commercialism on everyday experience. By dismantling recognizable forms and presenting them in this disjointed manner, the artist invites contemplation about perception, representation, and the nature of reality itself. The fragmented composition can be interpreted as a reflection of the rapidly changing world at the turn of the 20th century – a period marked by industrialization, urbanization, and new modes of visual communication.