1946 Citron, poisson, aubergine Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arrangement set against a backdrop divided into two distinct zones. The upper portion is rendered in a pale, off-white hue, while a broad band of reddish-orange dominates the lower half, creating a visual separation and establishing a sense of depth. This division isnt sharply delineated; instead, the colors blend subtly, suggesting an atmospheric perspective.
Arranged on this surface are three objects: a lemon, a fish, and an eggplant. The lemon is positioned in the upper left corner, its form simplified to essential geometric shapes – a rounded body with a slightly truncated top. Its color is a muted green, hinting at ripeness but lacking vibrancy.
The central element is a stylized depiction of a fish. It’s presented as a skeletal outline, emphasizing bone structure and internal cavity rather than fleshy volume. The artist has employed a stark white to render the fish against the orange background, making it visually prominent. Details are minimal; the fins are suggested with short, angular strokes, and the eye is reduced to a simple dot.
To the right of the fish sits an eggplant, its form similarly abstracted. It’s rendered in deep purple tones, with visible brushstrokes that convey texture and volume. The base of the eggplant rests on a crumpled piece of what appears to be green paper or fabric, adding another layer of visual complexity.
The paintings aesthetic leans towards a reductive approach, stripping objects of their naturalistic details and reducing them to essential forms. This simplification lends an air of quiet contemplation. The color palette is restrained – primarily white, orange, purple, and green – contributing to the overall mood of subdued intensity.
Subtextually, the arrangement might be interpreted as a meditation on mortality and fragility. The skeletal fish, in particular, evokes themes of decay and impermanence. The lemon’s muted color could symbolize fading vitality, while the eggplants solidity offers a counterpoint – a suggestion of enduring presence. The crumpled paper beneath the eggplant introduces an element of transience and the passage of time. Overall, the work conveys a sense of melancholy and quiet observation, inviting reflection on the ephemeral nature of existence.