Gris Bottle and glass on a table, 1913-14, 61.5x38.5 cm, Gal Juan Gris (1887-1927)

The composition presents a fragmented still life arranged on what appears to be a table surface. The artist has dismantled recognizable forms into geometric planes and facets, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity. A blue-green form dominates the central area, its sharp angles cutting across the canvas and disrupting any conventional perspective. This element seems to simultaneously rise from and intersect with the horizontal plane below.
To the left, a series of overlapping shapes in ochre and yellow suggest a wall or backdrop, while to the right, a lighter, almost white section provides contrast. The table itself is rendered as a series of brown and tan rectangles, their parallel lines contributing to the overall fractured effect. Scattered across this surface are several circular forms – one green, another appearing translucent and possibly representing glass – along with what might be interpreted as fragments of a bottle or container.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing muted tones of blue, yellow, brown, and green. The limited range reinforces the sense of detachment and intellectual analysis rather than emotional expression. Theres an absence of traditional shading or modeling; instead, the artist relies on abrupt shifts in plane to define form. This technique flattens the picture space, denying the viewer a clear point of view.
The subtexts within this work seem to revolve around perception and representation. The deliberate deconstruction of familiar objects challenges the viewers assumptions about how reality is perceived and depicted. It suggests an interest in exploring the underlying structure of visual experience rather than simply replicating it. The arrangement feels less like a depiction of a scene and more like an exploration of its constituent parts, inviting contemplation on the nature of form, space, and the act of seeing itself.