“Still Life with a Guitar on a Table” is a notable work by artist Georges Braque, completed in 1918 in France. This artwork is an oil on canvas piece, measuring 91 by 55 cm, and it currently resides in a private collection. It stands as an exemplar of the Synthetic Cubism art movement, typified by its still life genre.
The artwork presents a flattened, fragmented depiction of a guitar resting upon a table, consistent with the principles of Synthetic Cubism, which emphasized the combination of different textures, surfaces, and shapes. Braque’s use of geometric simplification breaks the guitar and the table into a complex and interlocking series of planes and forms. The artwork uses a restrained but nuanced palette, which, combined with its varied textures and overlaid patterns, creates depth and rhythm within the composition. Though the subject matter is recognizable, it is abstracted, inviting viewers to perceive everyday objects in a new way. The play of light and shadow further works to unify the composition, and the use of sharp contrasts adds to the dynamic visual harmony. The signature of Georges Braque stands discretely within the work, confirming its authenticity and provenance.
