The artwork titled “A blue vase” by Pablo Picasso dates back to 1903. Executed using oil on canvas, it measures 66.1 by 28.5 cm and falls under the genre of still life. This piece is a part of the Symbolism movement and is currently housed at the Museu Picasso in Barcelona, Spain.
The artwork showcases a vase in a blue hue prominently centered against a dark background. Within the vase, Picasso has painted flowers that appear almost wilted, with drooping petals and weighty stems that suggest a sense of heaviness or fatigue. The flowers, offering a splash of color in contrast to the dominating blue, draw the viewer’s attention towards the vase. The use of blue is quite significant as this work was created during Picasso’s Blue Period, a time characterized by monochromatic paintings in blue shades, expressing themes of poverty, isolation, and despair. The still life conveys emotion through its color palette and the portrayal of the flowers, which in the context of Symbolism, may allude to deeper, non-literal meanings about the human condition or emotional states. The sparse use of light and shadow adds a mysterious depth to the composition, inviting contemplation on the transient nature of life and beauty.