1919 Nature morte devant une fenИtre2 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a still life arranged before a window, establishing a dialogue between interior and exterior space. The foreground is dominated by a table draped with a dark cloth, upon which rests a collection of objects: a guitar, a glass, and what appears to be a folded piece of paper or fabric. These items are rendered in a simplified, almost geometric style, their forms fractured and reassembled.
Behind the still life, a window frame acts as a crucial structuring element. Through this frame, one observes an architectural vista – a dome-like structure rising above buildings, suggesting a cityscape, possibly Rome. The perspective is flattened; depth is not conveyed through traditional means but rather through tonal shifts and the layering of planes.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing muted greens, browns, grays, and ochre tones. These colors contribute to a sense of quietude and introspection. A band of yellow-orange appears on the right side, providing a contrasting warmth that draws attention but does not disrupt the overall somber mood. The dark background flanking the window creates a visual frame, emphasizing the scene within.
The arrangement suggests a meditation on perception and representation. The still life objects are not depicted realistically; instead, they are reduced to their essential forms, hinting at an underlying structure. The inclusion of the cityscape through the window introduces a layer of complexity – a juxtaposition of domesticity and grandeur, intimacy and public space. It is possible that the artist intended to explore themes of memory, displacement, or the relationship between art and reality. The fragmented nature of the objects and the flattened perspective could be interpreted as reflecting a sense of disruption or alienation characteristic of the period in which it was created.