Pitcher and Glass by Juan Gris

A masterpiece of great visual boldness, this painting illustrates the transition towards a synthetic cubism of great geometric purity. Conceived by the Spanish painter Juan Gris, this work entitled “Pitcher and Glass” deconstructs the face and objects in a remarkable interlocking of planes. The artist explores here the two-dimensionality of the canvas by playing on the ambiguity of the represented forms. This pictorial creation stands as a major witness to the aesthetic theories of its time.

The composition is organized around a fragmented figure evoking both a stylized face and glasses on a table. On the left, brown and black planes outline the profile of a head, highlighted by a simply drawn ear. In the center, two white and black wine glasses intersect with an ochre cup, creating a superb cubist transparency play. The lower part is dominated by a white, brown and red checkered tablecloth, drawing a highly geometric repetitive pattern. The whole is bathed in a cold and contrasting light, standing out against a dark purple background. The lines of force structure the space with absolute rigor.

The artist’s artisanal expertise is illustrated in the surgical precision of his lines and the impeccable treatment of flat textures. The mastered application of oil paint allows to obtain color areas of exceptional regularity. This technical rigor bears witness to a perfect assimilation of cubist codes.