1919 Nature morte devant une fenИtre Е Saint-RaphaЙl Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a still life arranged on what appears to be a balcony overlooking a seascape. A window frame dominates the view, its structure acting as both a literal and metaphorical barrier between interior space and exterior world. The panes are open, revealing a vista of blue sky streaked with clouds and a distant expanse of water.
Arranged upon a small table within the balcony’s confines are several objects: a violin, sheet music, a folded cloth, and what seems to be a partially obscured bowl or container. These items are rendered in a fractured style, their forms broken down into geometric planes and reassembled with a deliberate disregard for traditional perspective. The color palette is muted, relying heavily on ochres, grays, blues, and pinks, contributing to an overall sense of melancholy and introspection.
The balcony railing, intricately patterned with decorative elements, creates a visual foreground that further separates the still life from the landscape beyond. A small rug lies beneath the table, its color echoing the tones of the sky and sea, suggesting a subtle connection between the interior and exterior realms. The curtain hanging on the left side adds to the sense of enclosure while also softening the rigid geometry of the window frame.
The arrangement suggests themes of memory, loss, or contemplation. The presence of musical instruments hints at artistic creation and perhaps a longing for beauty or harmony. The fractured forms could be interpreted as representing the fragmentation of experience or the instability of perception. The contrast between the enclosed interior space and the expansive view outside might symbolize the tension between confinement and freedom, or the desire to transcend limitations.
The artist’s choice to depict this scene through a window frame introduces an element of distance and mediation. It is not a direct engagement with nature but rather a mediated observation, suggesting a sense of detachment or alienation from the world beyond. The overall effect is one of quiet introspection, inviting the viewer to contemplate the relationship between art, memory, and the passage of time.