“Still life (with clarinet)” is an artwork by Georges Braque, created in 1927 in France. This piece is executed in oil on canvas and its dimensions are 53.9 by 73 cm. Reflecting the influences of Cubism and Expressionism, the work belongs to the still life genre. It is housed in the Philips Collection in Washington, DC, US.
The artwork showcases the classic cubist palette dominated by earthen tones and a focus on the interplay of shapes, rather than a realistic depiction of objects. Angular, fragmented elements intersect and overlap, creating a sense of depth and form within the two-dimensional plane. Though the title indicates the presence of a clarinet, its shape is abstracted and integrated with other still life elements, such as what appears to be a sheet of music, a cluster of grapes, and possibly fragments of a newspaper, as well as other cubist textures and forms which challenge the viewer’s perception. The composition of both shadow and light plays across these elements, further enlivening the scene and emphasizing the tactile quality of the objects and the space they inhabit. Through the artwork, Braque exemplifies his mastery in creating rhythm and harmony within the canvas, inviting an analytical and emotive response to the everyday subject matter reimagined through a cubist lens.