Still life with vases 1906

This still life painting was made by Pablo Picasso using oil on canvas, and, looking at those brushstrokes, I can almost feel the painting coming to life. I imagine Picasso placing those vases and bottles just so, stepping back, squinting, then diving back in with his brush, building up layers of color and texture, adjusting the shapes, and playing with light. There's something so humble about still life. We see the influence of Cézanne, and later Braque. Notice how the warm reds and oranges of the objects contrast against the cool grays of the background, creating a sense of depth and space. The paint looks quite fluid, almost like he was using watercolour. See how that quick stroke defines the edge of that white vase? It’s this kind of gesture that breathes life into the composition. It’s all part of a conversation between artists, pushing each other to see the world in new ways, each mark an act of discovery.