The artwork, titled “Sonata” and created by Marcel Duchamp in 1911 in France, is a genre painting that falls within the Cubist art movement. Executed using watercolor on paper, the artwork reflects the early 20th-century exploration of form and abstraction characteristic of Cubism.
“Sonata” exhibits a fragmented, geometric depiction of figures engrossed in musical performance. The central composition portrays several musicians, their forms rendered in a muted palette of earthy tones and subtle blues. The figures’ shapes are faceted and interlocking, conveying a sense of depth and dynamic movement. The musician holding a violin and the individuals surrounding a keyboard instrument hint at an intimate, indoor setting where music is being played. Above them, a blue-toned figure seems to be observing the scene. The composition emphasizes the Cubist style’s departure from realistic representation, focusing instead on abstract forms and multiple perspectives within a singular visual space.
