“The Blue Washbasin,” an artwork created by Georges Braque in 1942, is an oil on canvas embodying the Expressionism movement. With dimensions of 60 x 80 cm, this still life painting is presently housed in a private collection. Braque, renowned for his role in pioneering Cubism alongside Picasso, explores the still life genre with a distinct inclination towards expressionistic tendencies during this period.
The artwork features a washbasin as its central element, rendered in various shades of blue. The basin is depicted with a sense of depth and volume, set against a background composed of geometric shapes that emulate tiles, contributing to a fragmented and abstracted ambiance inherent in Braque’s style. Alongside the basin, other objects are visible, including what appears to be a brush and a patterned object, possibly a soap dish or sponge, which complement the scene and add texture and contrast to the composition. Braque’s use of color, form, and brushstrokes emphasizes the emotional resonance over realistic representation, a hallmark of Expressionism. His signature, located at the bottom of the canvas, cements his authorship of this evocative piece.