The artwork “Still Life on a Table: Gillette,” created in 1914 by Georges Braque, is a seminal example of Synthetic Cubism, a movement known for its use of collage and simplified shapes. Braque, an innovative force in this movement, composed this artwork using a harmonious blend of charcoal, collage, gouache, and paper. The still life genre piece measures 48 x 62 cm and is now housed in the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, France, which underscores its significance within Braque’s oeuvre and the broader context of early 20th-century art. This artwork, like many others from this period, was created in France.
The artwork distinctly features the fragmented forms and interplay between text and texture that are characteristic of Synthetic Cubism. Elements of the composition, such as the newspaper clippings that can be seen, disrupt the continuity of the wooden textures, suggesting the complex interrelationship between space, objects, and the material world. The use of text adds a layer of social commentary and draws attention to the everyday objects and commercial items that increasingly defined the modern experience. Shapes are broken down and reconstructed, while the use of charcoal outlines and gouache unify the composition, contrasting sharply with the tactile collage elements. Through this interlacing of various media and perspectives, Braque invites the viewer to consider multiple angles simultaneously, thereby redefining traditional notions of perception within still life painting.
