Violin and Glass (1915) by Juan Gris

Violin and Glass - Juan Gris - 1915

Artwork Information

TitleViolin and Glass
ArtistJuan Gris
Date1915
MediumOil on Canvas
Dimensions92 x 60 cm
Art MovementSynthetic Cubism
Current LocationFogg Museum (Harvard Art Museums), Cambridge, MA, US
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About Violin and Glass

Violin and Glass by Juan Gris is an oil painting created in 1915. It measures 91.44 x 59.69 cm (36 x 23 1/2 in.) and is signed “l.l.: Juan Gris 1915” on the bottom left hand corner of the canvas. The artwork consists of a violin and playing cards on a table, taking up almost all of the space in the composition. The vibrant colors that Gris used brings light to the detailed environment, as well as expressing a hint of joyfulness in its tranquility, as expressed by the rhythmic shapes and warm tones throughout.

Although we can not be sure, it is speculated that this painting may have been an early precursor to his later artwork, Violin And Checkerboard from 1913 which has similar components, such as an object displayed on a board or tabletop with a white backdrop with shadows cast upon it. Despite these similarities between Violin And Glass and Violin And Checkerboard, they are still distinct works that capture unique moments in time reflective of their atmosphere and their position in history. In drawing attention to both the background colors and objects on display within this artwork, it conveys artistry beyond expectations while infusing a subtle emotion throughout its great detail making it an iconic work from one of Spain’s foremost 20th-century artists.

Violin And Glass is just one satirical representation from Juan Gris’ artistic career that proves to be quite influential for later artworks such as Violin And Checkerboard from 1913. The painting feels alive with action, through its bright colors and lively lighting to effectively communicate moods and scenes like those found in many early Modernist paintings leading up to our present day culture today—which serves as an important history lesson for viewers everywhere who care about such themes emphasized by Gris’ work!

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