The artwork “Houses at L’Estaque” was created by the artist Georges Braque in 1908. It is an oil on canvas that measures 73 by 60 centimeters and represents a cityscape. This piece is a quintessential example of the Analytical Cubism art movement. The artwork was created in France and is currently housed at the Kunstmuseum Bern in Bern, Switzerland.
In examining the artwork, one observes a composition that deconstructs the subject matter—the houses at L’Estaque—into a series of geometric shapes and forms. Braque has foregone traditional perspective, instead presenting multiple viewpoints simultaneously, which is characteristic of Cubism. The color palette is relatively muted, with earthy tones dominating the canvas, suggesting a harmony with the natural landscape. Braque uses the juxtaposition of shaded planes to create a sense of depth, despite the flattening of the space commonly associated with cubist works. The overlapping and intersecting planes give an impression of the houses and foliage that blend with one another, challenging the viewer to discern the individual elements of the scene. Overall, the artwork is a complex interplay of abstracted forms that evoke the sensation of a dynamic yet cohesive landscape.
