1932 Nature morte- Buste, coupe et palette Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The composition presents a still life arrangement interwoven with a portrait, executed in a fractured and reassembled style. A bowl brimming with citrus fruits dominates the lower portion of the canvas. The fruit is rendered as flattened planes of color – yellows, oranges, and hints of purple – arranged within a stark white dish. This bowl sits atop a table or surface defined by sharp angles and contrasting blocks of dark red and white.

To the right, a figure emerges from fragmented geometric shapes. The face is presented in profile, yet simultaneously fractured into multiple perspectives. A green hue defines the facial plane, while black outlines delineate its features. The neck appears elongated and angular, connecting to a body draped in blue and white fabrics that are similarly deconstructed.

Behind the still life and figure, a dark, roughly circular form hangs suspended – likely intended as a melon or similar fruit. It is rendered with thick brushstrokes of brown and black, creating a sense of weight and density. The background itself is a flat expanse of green, punctuated by vertical lines that suggest architectural elements or perhaps simply serve to compartmentalize the space.

The artist’s choice of subject matter – a still life combined with portraiture – hints at an exploration of perception and representation. The fragmentation of forms suggests a deliberate rejection of traditional perspective and naturalistic depiction. Instead, the work seems concerned with dissecting objects and figures into their constituent parts, then reassembling them in a new, albeit disorienting, arrangement.

The limited color palette – primarily greens, blues, yellows, reds, blacks, and whites – contributes to the painting’s starkness and formal rigor. The absence of shading or subtle gradations further emphasizes the flatness of the picture plane. This approach invites viewers to consider not just what is depicted, but also how it is depicted, prompting reflection on the nature of artistic construction and the limitations of visual representation. The juxtaposition of organic forms (the fruit) with geometric shapes (the figure and table) creates a tension that underscores the artist’s intellectual engagement with form and space.