The artwork “Night Fishing at Antibes” is an oil on canvas painting by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso, completed in the year 1939. This significant piece is housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US. With dimensions of 205.7 by 345.4 cm, the painting is a large-scale composition that falls under the genre painting category and is associated with the Surrealist movement, reflecting Picasso’s versatility and innovative spirit during this period.
The artwork depicts a nocturnal scene filled with vibrant color and dynamic forms. At the center, there are figures in a small boat engaged in the activity of night fishing. The bold use of color and the distorted forms exemplify Picasso’s unique approach to representing reality. The composition is animated by the presence of lustrous, star-like shapes which seem to suggest the glimmer of light on water or perhaps the very act of fishing itself, with lines extending down towards the marine creatures below.
Around the fishers, an array of stylized fish can be seen, rendered in bright contrasting colors that captivate the viewer’s attention. Their shapes are simplified and abstracted, resonating with the surreal nature of the painting. To the right, stands a duo of figures on the pier, one of them bearing a pitchfork. Picasso’s use of distorted human features and spatial ambiguity contributes to the dreamlike atmosphere of the scene, which is a hallmark of the Surrealist movement, seeking to unleash the creative potential of the subconscious mind.
The juxtaposition of human activity with the unusual characteristics of the sea creatures creates a sense of harmony between humanity and nature, filtered through the lens of surreal distortion and psychological complexity. The painting is charged with symbolic significance, and its large format enhances its immersive and mesmerizing quality, inviting spectators to ponder the mysteries it presents in each of its carefully crafted details.