The artwork titled “Jug, candle and enamel pan” was created by Pablo Picasso in 1945. Executed in oil on canvas, this still life painting measures 82 by 106 centimeters and is housed at the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, France. It is associated with the Cubist art movement, a revolutionary style pioneered by Picasso that deconstructed objects into abstract forms.
In the artwork by Picasso, one observes a composition that exemplifies the Cubist style. To the left, there’s a jug with a faceted geometric design, its forms and planes intersecting in a manner that creates a disjointed perception of space. The central element is a candle, depicted with a bold and contoured flame, resting upon a candelabra with golden embellishments that provide a contrast in color and texture against the otherwise muted palette. To the right stands an enamel pan with a conspicuous blue handle that extends outward, intersecting the picture plane and demonstrating Picasso’s experimentation with perspective. These everyday objects are arranged on a tabletop that slopes downwards, contributing to the skewed sense of depth typical for Cubist works. The background and surrounding space are simplified, allowing the distorted forms and play of light and shadow on the objects to command the viewer’s attention. By fragmenting and reassembling the objects, Picasso challenges traditional representations of space and form, inviting a more dynamic interaction between the viewer and the still life before them.
