1944 La cafetiКre bleue (CafetiКre et tasse) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and angular style. A dark blue coffee pot dominates the central space, its form deconstructed into geometric planes that suggest multiple perspectives simultaneously. The spout curves dramatically, while the handle appears as an extension of the pot’s body, blurring the lines between functional elements. Adjacent to the pot sits a white cup or bowl, also fragmented and simplified, resting on a saucer whose shape echoes the angularity of the coffee pot.
The background is a warm, reddish-brown hue, applied with broad brushstrokes that create a sense of depth and texture. This backdrop contrasts sharply with the cooler tones of the objects themselves, emphasizing their presence within the pictorial space. A table surface, indicated by a horizontal band of greyish-white paint at the bottom, grounds the arrangement.
The artist’s approach to form prioritizes conceptual representation over realistic depiction. The objects are not portrayed as they appear in everyday life but rather as constructions of visual ideas. This dismantling and reassembly of familiar forms suggests an exploration of perception and the nature of reality itself. The limited color palette, primarily consisting of blues, whites, greys, and browns, contributes to a sense of austerity and focus on form.
Subtly, theres a feeling of isolation conveyed by the arrangement. The objects are presented in stark simplicity, devoid of any narrative context or human presence. This lack of external reference invites contemplation about the inherent qualities of these commonplace items – their shape, color, and relationship to one another – rather than their function or symbolic meaning. The overall effect is one of quiet introspection, a meditation on form and perception within a confined space.