1945 Pichet et bougeoir 1 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around two domestic objects: a pitcher and a candlestick. The artist has rendered these items through a fractured perspective, dismantling their conventional forms into geometric planes. These facets are not presented as viewed from a single vantage point; instead, multiple viewpoints appear simultaneously, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity and visual complexity.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by muted browns, grays, and creams. This limited range contributes to the painting’s somber mood and reinforces the emphasis on form over vibrant coloration. The pitcher, largely rendered in white with dark outlining, appears to occupy the left side of the canvas. Its shape is simplified into a series of angular planes that suggest volume without fully defining its contours. Adjacent to it stands the candlestick, depicted in darker tones, further emphasizing its solidity and presence. A slender wick protrudes from the top of the candlestick, offering a focal point within the otherwise fragmented structure.
The objects rest upon a table surface which is itself treated with similar geometric deconstruction. The background appears as a continuation of this fractured space, lacking depth or clear definition. Lines intersect at oblique angles, contributing to the overall sense of disorientation and challenging traditional notions of perspective.
Beyond the literal depiction of commonplace items, the work seems to explore themes of perception and representation. By breaking down objects into their constituent forms and presenting them from multiple viewpoints, the artist questions the nature of reality and how it is constructed through visual experience. The subdued color scheme and fragmented composition evoke a sense of melancholy or introspection, suggesting that the still life may be imbued with symbolic weight beyond its surface appearance. It could be interpreted as a meditation on loss, memory, or the fragility of everyday existence.