Bodegón 1918

María Blanchard made this Cubist still life, Bodegón, with oil on canvas at an unknown date. The earthy palette and geometric forms suggest a process of reduction and refinement, typical of the Cubist style, but also indicative of Blanchard's unique sensibility. Look at how she builds up the image bit by bit, not so much depicting an object, as finding a way to represent it. The material aspect is key here; the paint seems applied in layers, building depth and texture through careful arrangement, with a tangible physicality to the medium. I'm drawn to the white shape in the center, perhaps a pitcher, how its starkness draws the eye amidst the muted tones. This echoes Picasso and Braque's Cubism, but with a uniquely feminine touch, hinting at the artist's personal experience. Her work shows an ongoing dialogue, like a painterly conversation across time. It embraces ambiguity, inviting multiple interpretations.