1920 Guitare3 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The artwork presents a fragmented depiction of what appears to be a guitar. The instrument is rendered through a series of geometric planes and intersecting lines, eschewing traditional perspective and realistic representation. Its form is abstracted, broken down into simplified shapes that overlap and interlock. The strings are suggested by parallel lines extending from the neck towards the body, though their spatial relationship to the rest of the object remains ambiguous.
The color palette is restricted to grayscale tones – variations of black, white, and gray – which contribute to a sense of austerity and focus attention on the formal elements of composition. The background is similarly treated with blocks of varying shades, creating a flat, two-dimensional space that denies depth. These planes seem to frame or contain the guitar, yet also appear as extensions of its fragmented form.
The artist’s choice to deconstruct the familiar object invites contemplation about perception and representation. By dismantling the guitar into constituent shapes, the work questions the nature of reality and how we construct meaning through visual experience. The lack of shading and the stark contrast between light and dark areas emphasize the structural elements rather than any illusionistic qualities.
The arrangement of forms suggests a deliberate disruption of conventional order. The guitar is tilted at an oblique angle, further contributing to the sense of instability and disorientation. This unconventional presentation challenges the viewers expectations and encourages active engagement with the artwork’s formal vocabulary. It can be interpreted as a visual exploration of how objects are perceived through multiple viewpoints or broken down into their essential components.