The Duet (1937; France) by Georges Braque

The Duet - Georges Braque - 1937; France

Artwork Information

TitleThe Duet
ArtistGeorges Braque
Date1937; France
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions129.8 x 160 cm
Art MovementCubism,Expressionism
Current LocationGeorges Pompidou Center, Paris, France

About The Duet

The artwork “The Duet” by Georges Braque, created in 1937 in France, is an oil on canvas piece measuring 129.8 x 160 cm. It reflects the stylistic elements of both Cubism and Expressionism. It is considered a genre painting, which currently resides in the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, France.

In “The Duet,” Braque portrays two figures engaged in the act of making music, a common theme that resonates with the rhythmic qualities inherent in his style of painting. The figures are abstracted, their shapes reduced to a series of planes and fragmented forms that are characteristic of Cubism. Despite the abstraction, it’s clear that one figure appears to be singing or engaging in performance, as suggested by the musical score, while the other is seated at a piano, poised as if in the middle of playing. The backdrop of the artwork features patterned wallpaper that gives the impression of a domestic interior, bending and fracturing in ways that play with perspective and depth, typical of Cubist works.

The color palette is muted, consisting of earth tones punctuated by areas of brighter color, such as the pink of the singer’s attire and bursts of yellow in the background, which adds dynamism to the composition. Braque’s use of light and shadow contributes to the three-dimensional effect on the flattened picture plane. Expressionist influences are evident in the emotive use of color and the suggestion of an intense, intimate atmosphere surrounding the figures and their musical collaboration.

Overall, the artwork conveys a sense of amalgamated time and space, with elements simultaneously converging and dispersing, inviting viewers to experience the harmonies and dissonances not only of the musical subject matter but also of Braque’s innovative artistic approach.

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