Georges Braque’s Glass, Carafe and Newspapers is a 1914 masterpiece that exemplifies his contribution to the development of Cubism. The piece, which is housed in a private collection, measures 62.5 x 28 cm and was created using charcoal, collage techniques, oil and canvas.
The Synthetic Cubist style employed in Glass, Carafe and Newspapers allows the artist to combine multiple elements into one piece. This particular work features a still life of a glass carafe set against an intricate background made up of newspaper clippings of different sizes and shapes. True to Cubist ideology, Braque breaks down each element into geometric planes that interlock with each other in overlapping layers.
Georges Braque was one of the most significant artists of the twentieth century; his contribution to art history expanded beyond painting to include printmaking, sculpture, collages and drawings. His association with Fauvism between 1906-07 eventually led him towards developing the revolutionary movement known as Cubism along with fellow artist Pablo Picasso. With Glass Carafe and Newspapers,’ Braque demonstrates how his approach could turn even mundane subjects like newspapers or household objects into fascinating pieces of cubist art.
