The artwork entitled “Still Life with Cat and Lobster” was created by the acclaimed artist Pablo Picasso in 1962. It is often associated with the Surrealist movement, which is known for its exploration of the unconscious mind and the juxtaposition of unexpected elements. This particular work falls within the genre of still life, which traditionally depicts commonplace objects which may be either natural (like food, flowers, plants, rocks, or shells) or man-made (like glasses, books, vases, jewelry, coins, pipes, and so on).
In this expressive composition, the artwork employs a vibrant palette and the distinctive, abstract forms characteristic of Picasso’s later work. The central subjects are depicted with a combination of fluid lines and bold color applications that convey a sense of both energy and chaos, a common theme in Surrealist art. The cat’s figure is discernible, yet stylized, with attentive eyes that seem fixated on the lobster. The lobster, on the other hand, is rendered with a sense of movement and a fluidity that contradicts its usual stillness when seen within a conventional still life context. Despite the off-kilter realism and the abstracted nature of the forms, the cat and lobster are nonetheless recognizable, inviting viewers to explore the dynamic between the living and the inanimate as reimagined through Picasso’s innovative lens.
