“Violin and Pipe: Le Quotidien,” a notable artwork by Georges Braque, was created in 1913 and serves as a classic example of Synthetic Cubism. The piece, crafted using a combination of chalk, charcoal, collage, and paper, depicts a still life arrangement and measures 74 by 106 centimeters. The artwork is currently part of the collection at the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, France, and was created by Braque in France. Its medium and compositional techniques are indicative of the innovative spirit of the Synthetic Cubist movement.
The artwork showcases a flattened and abstracted arrangement of objects that include a violin and a smoking pipe, integrated with fragments of a newspaper, as the title “Le Quotidien,” which translates to “The Daily,” suggests. The composition juxtaposes various textures and materials, with the newspaper’s typography providing a stark contrast to the soft shading and textured drawings. The collage elements are seamlessly incorporated, contributing to the layered and fragmented appearance characteristic of Cubism. Braque’s choice and arrangement of elements reflect a deliberate break from traditional perspective, inviting viewers to interpret the interplay between realism and abstraction.
