Fish 1926

Louis Marcoussis created this enigmatic artwork, titled "Fish", using a geometric approach with oil on canvas. The composition is strikingly formal, characterized by flattened planes and a muted palette that dances between figuration and abstraction. The artwork, a carefully constructed interplay of shapes and lines, presents what appears to be a still life, but one that challenges conventional representation. The Cubist style evident here destabilizes traditional perspectives; objects are fragmented and reassembled from multiple viewpoints. Note how the artist uses colour to delineate forms and create spatial depth, while simultaneously denying a realistic illusion. This suggests a semiotic system where signs like the fish, violin, and moon are not merely representations but symbols within a broader visual language. This approach embodies a shift away from mimetic representation towards a more conceptual understanding of form and space. The solidity and flatness emphasizes the artwork's presence as an object, engaging with ideas about perception and reality.