Bodegón Cubista 1918

María Blanchard made this cubist still life, using oil paint on canvas. Blanchard was part of an explosion of Cubist practice. Here, she brings the movement’s signature treatment of form to the everyday – bottles, glasses, and other ordinary items. Look closely, and you can see how Blanchard’s brushstrokes build up the image, fragmenting and reassembling these humble items from daily life. This wasn’t just about representing objects. The very act of painting itself was central to the creative process, adding layers of meaning. By using common materials and depicting commonplace subjects, Blanchard blurred the lines between fine art and the everyday. She prompts us to reflect on the labor involved in creating art and on the value we place on the objects that surround us.