The artwork titled “Cock and knife,” created by the eminent artist Pablo Picasso in 1947, is executed in oil on canvas. Measuring 73 by 92 cm, it represents an animal painting that incorporates elements of both Cubism and Surrealism, movements with which Picasso is intimately associated. This synthesis of styles is evident in the work’s fragmented forms and the dreamlike atmosphere that is typical of Surrealist art.
In the artwork, Picasso depicts a rooster, a common motif in his oeuvre, in a highly stylized manner that fractures and reassembles its form in a manner reminiscent of Cubist fragmentation. The composition features bold, geometric shapes and sharp angles, and while the figure is discernible as a rooster, its body and plumage are broken into a series of overlapping planes. These planes are depicted in a limited palette with subtle gradations that give a sense of depth and volume to the otherwise flat, abstracted forms. A knife, indicated as a few sharp lines and a splash of red near the bird’s head, introduces a narrative element or a hint of conflict, which is heightened by the rooster’s elevated claws and posture suggesting alertness or aggression. With its combination of abstraction and figuration, the artwork conveys a sense of dynamism and intensity, engaging the viewer in an effort to interpret the scene and its possible meanings.
