The artwork titled “Bottle and Fishes” is a notable creation by artist Georges Braque, completed between 1910 and 1912. It exemplifies the Analytical Cubism art movement and is crafted using the medium of oil on canvas. The still life painting measures 61 by 75 centimeters and is presently housed at the Tate Modern in London, UK. Braque created this piece while in France, contributing to his exploration of perspective and form that defined the Cubist genre.
In the artwork, Braque presents a complex arrangement of objects that are fragmented and abstracted, a characteristic trait of Analytical Cubism. The composition is constructed from a neutral palette of browns, grays, and ochres, which help to unify the disparate forms and emphasize the play of light and shadow. The technique employed by Braque involves the breakdown of form into multiple geometric facets and planes, which are then reassembled to provide a depiction that can be interpreted from multiple viewpoints. This particular work captures the essence of Analytical Cubism, where the subject matter is dissected and overlaid to challenge traditional conceptions of perspective and representation. The objects in the painting, while dissected and overlapping, suggest the presence of bottles and fishes, inviting viewers to engage with the work by piecing together the forms and deducing the still life elements Braque intended to portray.