The artwork “Glass and Bottle of Bass” is a notable piece by Pablo Picasso, dating back to 1914. This piece exemplifies Synthetic Cubism, a movement in which Picasso played a pivotal role. Executed with pasted paper and charcoal on cardboard, it measures 52 by 67 centimeters and is categorized as a still life. Currently, this artwork is held in a private collection.
The artwork features a tabletop with a flattened, geometric representation of a glass and a bottle, which bears the recognizable word “BASS,” a reference to the British brewery. The construction of the objects is carried out through the collage of various materials, including newspaper clippings, revealing the innovative approach that Synthetic Cubists employed to create new dimensions and textures within a two-dimensional space. Picasso’s use of pasted paper and charcoal adds depth and variety to the piece, while its aesthetics challenge traditional perspectives, inviting different interpretations of the depicted objects. The background is adorned with decorative patterns, simulating wallpaper or a similar domestic interior. This backdrop creates a heightened contrast with the abstract, angular forms of the cubist objects placed front and center. Additionally, Picasso’s signature is prominently displayed, anchoring the composition within art history as the work of a pioneering modernist artist.
