Pablo Picasso

Eugenia Errasuriz, Paris & Biarritz (a gift from the artist)
Private Collection, France, since circa 1925

The present work incorporates several key elements Picasso used frequently in his exploration of cubism. The still life on a table was one of his most treated subjects from this period, as it lent itself well to the analysis of spatial values and picture planes, without having to incorporate movement. The tonal varieties of the brown, beige and blue areas in the present work are create string contrasts which indicate a range of volumes from flat to round and convey the feeling of space in the composition.

Picasso was introduced to Chilean-born Eugenia Errasuriz by Jean Cocteau in 1915 and quickly became close friends. Eugenia was a great admirer of Picasso's recent work, and bought several important paintings from him as well as receiving several works as gifts from the artist. She introduced him to her friend the King of Spain, and invited the newly married Olga and Picasso to spend their honeymoon in her house in Biarritz.