1919 Guitare et compotier sur un guВridon devant une fenИtre ouverte * Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a still life arranged before an open window, viewed from within a room. The perspective is deliberately flattened, eschewing traditional depth cues in favor of a more conceptual arrangement of forms. A guitar dominates the foreground, its shape fragmented and reassembled with angular planes. Adjacent to it sits a bowl or compotier, rendered as a simplified oval form. These objects rest on a low table or ledge, which itself is defined by sharp geometric boundaries.
Behind this still life, through the window frame, lies an exterior scene. A building, seemingly of architectural significance – characterized by its dome and symmetrical facade – is visible in the distance. The sky beyond appears as a wash of pale blue, contrasting with the darker tones within the room. The window itself is not depicted realistically; instead, it functions more as a framing device, creating a visual barrier between interior and exterior spaces.
Color plays a crucial role in defining the spatial relationships. A palette of muted blues, browns, yellows, and oranges creates a sense of subdued light and shadow. The use of color isnt representational but rather serves to delineate planes and volumes within the composition. The window frame is rendered in dark blue, creating a stark contrast with the lighter tones of the building beyond.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of interiority versus exteriority, presence versus absence. The still life objects – guitar, bowl – represent domesticity and personal experience, while the distant building suggests a broader world or perhaps memory. The open window implies a connection between these two realms, yet the flattened perspective and fragmented forms disrupt any sense of seamless transition. Theres an underlying tension between confinement (the room) and possibility (the view). The deliberate simplification of form and color hints at a desire to move beyond mere representation towards a more conceptual understanding of space and perception.