1943 Buffet (Nature morte aux verres et aux cerises) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1943-1961

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. Here we observe a table surface acting as the foundation for several objects: glassware, what appears to be fruit (likely cherries), and a bowl or container of indeterminate form. The artist has eschewed traditional perspective; instead, multiple viewpoints are incorporated into a single plane, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity.
The color palette is dominated by ochre, yellow, black, and grey tones, with the vibrant red of the fruit providing a stark contrast. Light sources seem to emanate from various points within the composition, casting shadows that further complicate the perception of depth. The background is not depicted as a continuous space but rather as a series of geometric planes, echoing the fragmentation seen in the foreground objects.
The glassware is particularly noteworthy; its forms are deconstructed into angular facets and crystalline shapes, suggesting an exploration of transparency and reflection beyond realistic representation. The cherries, clustered together, appear almost abstracted, their roundness softened by the surrounding geometry.
Subtly, a sense of melancholy pervades the work. The muted colors and fractured forms evoke a feeling of disruption or loss. The still life genre itself, traditionally associated with abundance and pleasure, is here presented in a manner that suggests fragility and impermanence. The arrangement feels less celebratory than contemplative, perhaps hinting at an underlying tension between beauty and decay.
The artist’s signature appears in the upper left corner, while another inscription is visible on the right side of the canvas. These markings contribute to the works sense of intimacy, as if offering a glimpse into the artist’s personal studio practice. Overall, the painting conveys an intellectual engagement with form and color, prioritizing conceptual exploration over straightforward depiction.