“The Siphon” is a notable work by the artist Juan Gris, created in 1913. This oil on canvas artwork measures 81 by 65 centimeters and is exemplar of the Synthetic Cubism movement. Characterized as a still life, the artwork is currently housed in the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States.
The artwork presents a fragmented and abstracted composition typical of Cubist artworks. It features a multitude of geometric shapes and planes interlocking with one another, creating a complex visual puzzle. The siphon, which is the primary subject of the artwork, is discernible through its contoured form and is accompanied by other elements such as glasses and possibly a bottle, though they are depicted in a highly stylized manner that challenges conventional perspective. The color palette is muted yet varies across the elements, with shades of blue, white, brown, and hints of red, contributing to the depiction of depth and form through color rather than traditional linear perspective. The overlapping and intersecting planes imbue the still life with a dynamic tension, while the subtle gradations of tone and strategic use of line add to the sense of three-dimensionality amidst the overall flatness of the canvas. Overall, Juan Gris’s “The Siphon” is a pioneering work that invites viewers to reconsider the essence of visual reality and the way objects are represented in space.
