“The Green Napkin” is an artwork by Georges Braque, created in 1943 in France. This oil on canvas is characteristic of the Expressionism art movement and falls within the still life genre. The artwork is part of the collection at the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, France.
The artwork exhibits a dynamic composition with fragmented objects that seem to defy the conventional perspective. The palette is somewhat subdued, with an emphasis on earthy tones and pops of warmer hues, perhaps reflecting the somber mood of wartime France when it was painted. Braque has employed thick, textured brushstrokes that give the surface a tactile quality. A green napkin is central to the composition, surrounded by what appears to be a pitcher, fruits, and other objects on a table, all of which are rendered with a degree of abstraction that challenges the viewer’s perception of space and form, common to Braque’s style and the Expressionist movement. The interaction of the objects with the surrounding space and the play of light and shadow create a sense of depth and movement within the still life, hinting at the momentary and fleeting aspect of the scene captured by the artist.
