1920 Nature morte Е la guitare1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in pastel on paper. A rectangular frame defines the boundaries of the scene, its edges delineated with muted green and brown tones that contribute to a sense of enclosure. Within this framework, a series of geometric forms interlock and overlap, creating a fragmented perspective.
Dominating the central area is an object suggestive of a guitar, though its form is abstracted into angular planes of reddish-brown, pale blue, and white. Dark black lines delineate these shapes, emphasizing their planar nature and contributing to a sense of spatial ambiguity. The instrument’s neck extends upwards, marked by several parallel lines that suggest the strings without explicitly depicting them.
The background is composed of similarly fragmented blocks of color – green, orange, and blue – which do not offer a consistent depth or perspective. These planes appear to float independently, further disrupting any conventional sense of spatial coherence. A dark, almost black rectangle anchors the lower portion of the composition, providing visual weight and contrast against the lighter hues above.
The artist’s use of pastel lends a delicate texture to the work, softening the sharp edges of the geometric forms. The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing earth tones alongside blues and reds, which evokes a feeling of melancholy or introspection.
Subtly, the arrangement suggests themes of deconstruction and reconstruction. The guitar, an instrument traditionally associated with music and harmony, is broken down into its constituent parts, then reassembled in a non-representational manner. This process could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fragmentation of experience or the artist’s attempt to explore the underlying structures of perception. The deliberate ambiguity of the forms invites viewers to actively participate in constructing meaning from the visual elements presented.