The violin 1916

Juan Gris built this violin out of oil paint, one shard of colour at a time. Look at the way he’s created a sense of depth, not by shading or perspective tricks, but by layering these translucent planes of gray, ochre, and black. It’s like he’s dissecting the idea of a violin, showing us all its facets at once. There’s something so tactile about the way Gris handles paint here. See the subtle brushstrokes in the warmer tones, almost like he's coaxing the instrument to life, while the cool grays feel more distant, aloof. Notice that tiny triangle of golden-yellow near the center, it’s almost glowing, like a little burst of energy holding the whole composition together. Gris was working in conversation with artists like Picasso and Braque, taking apart the world and putting it back together in new and surprising ways. It's a reminder that art isn't about answers, it’s about asking questions, exploring possibilities, and finding beauty in the unexpected.