1920 Nature morte Е la guitare Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a still life rendered in a fractured, geometric style. The artist has arranged several objects within a shallow pictorial space, dividing it into distinct planes with stark color contrasts. A dominant element is what appears to be a guitar, its form deconstructed into a series of angular shapes and delineated by parallel lines suggesting the instrument’s strings or soundboard. This central object is positioned against a backdrop of earthy tones – ochre, brown, and grey – which are themselves fragmented and layered.
The color palette is restrained but impactful. The use of muted browns and greys creates a sense of somberness and age, while the introduction of blue in angular forms provides visual tension and a cool counterpoint to the warmer hues. These blues do not appear as solid blocks; instead, they are applied with a translucent quality, allowing underlying layers to peek through, contributing to the overall feeling of fragmentation.
The artist’s technique emphasizes flatness and avoids traditional perspective or modeling. The objects seem to exist simultaneously on multiple planes, defying spatial logic. This approach suggests an interest in exploring form and structure rather than creating an illusionistic representation of reality. The edges are not sharply defined; instead, they bleed into one another, further blurring the boundaries between forms and contributing to a sense of instability.
Subtly, there is a suggestion of melancholy or introspection embedded within this arrangement. The deconstruction of familiar objects – the guitar, traditionally associated with music and joy – implies a disruption or loss. The muted color scheme reinforces this feeling, evoking a mood of quiet contemplation rather than exuberant celebration. The overall effect is one of controlled chaos, where the recognizable has been broken down into its constituent parts, inviting the viewer to reconstruct meaning from the fragments presented.