The artwork entitled “A Red Pedestal” was created by Georges Braque in 1942 in France. This piece is executed in oil on canvas and combines elements of Cubism and Expressionism. It falls under the genre of still life and is currently held in a private collection.
“A Red Pedestal” exhibits a fragmented composition, characteristic of Cubist works, where objects are broken up and viewed from multiple angles simultaneously. The central focus of the artwork appears to be a pedestal draped in a vivid red cloth, upon which rests a fragmented guitar alongside what could be inferred as a piece of sheet music or a newspaper. The background features abstract shapes with dark outlines against a patterned backdrop, suggesting depth and movement. The use of deep reds and earthy tones imbues the painting with a warm, expressive quality, while shadowy shapes create a sense of drama and intensity. The interplay of colours and shapes is meticulously arranged to evoke the feeling of a still life that is both recognizable yet abstracted, inviting the viewer to piece together the narrative hidden within the layered composition.
