1921 Nature morte au paquet de cigarettes Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1919-1930

The composition presents a still life constructed from fragmented geometric forms arranged against a warm, ochre-toned background. The artist has eschewed traditional perspective and depth cues, instead opting for a flattened pictorial space that emphasizes the two-dimensionality of the canvas.
A dominant white plane occupies the central area, its edges sharply defined yet subtly irregular, suggesting an attempt to avoid rigid symmetry. Within this plane, a circular form is positioned, rendered in a muted brown hue. A smaller, blue rectangle bearing text – seemingly a brand label – rests upon the white surface, partially obscuring it and introducing a layer of visual complexity.
To the left, a series of overlapping rectangular shapes in shades of brown and reddish-brown create a sense of layered depth, though this is achieved through color variation rather than linear perspective. A dark blue horizontal band anchors these forms to the lower portion of the canvas, providing a grounding element within the otherwise abstract arrangement.
The overall effect is one of deliberate disjunction. The objects are not presented as recognizable entities but as abstracted shapes interacting within a carefully orchestrated spatial relationship. The inclusion of the text on the rectangular form hints at an engagement with consumer culture and branding, while the muted color palette contributes to a sense of quiet contemplation. The arrangement feels less like a depiction of observed reality and more like a constructed visual puzzle, inviting the viewer to actively participate in deciphering its meaning. There is a deliberate ambiguity; the objects resist easy categorization, prompting reflection on representation itself and the nature of perception.