Guitar and Music Paper 1927

Juan Gris made this painting, Guitar and Music Paper, sometime in the early twentieth century. The painting exemplifies the cubist style. Born in Spain, Gris spent most of his active career in France, so we might think about the cultural institutions that nurtured cubism in Paris. What were the art schools like at the time? Who were the art dealers? Where did artists like Gris meet and exchange ideas? The fractured forms and multiple perspectives break down traditional ways of seeing. In this work, we can also see the tension between representation and abstraction. The guitar and music paper are recognizable, yet they’re also reduced to geometric shapes. How does this reflect the changing social and political landscape of Europe at the time? As art historians, we rely on letters, exhibition reviews, and other primary source documents, to better understand not only the artist’s intentions but also the conditions in which art is made and received. Art is more than just aesthetics; it’s a reflection of society.