House in a Garden 1908

Pablo Picasso made "House in a Garden" sometime in the early 20th Century, using oils. Look at the way he builds up these forms, these planes, like he’s constructing a puzzle. It’s interesting how the paint is applied here. See how the colors are laid down in distinct, separate strokes? The browns and greens feel earthy, solid. But the way they’re placed, side by side, creates a tension. The house is made of color blocks sitting behind green foliage, which itself sits on a brown, textured surface. There’s a real physicality to the paint; you can almost feel the brushstrokes. See how the tree trunk on the right is built up with these thick, almost sculptural daubs of paint? That’s where the image really comes alive for me. This piece reminds me a little of Cézanne, who also loved to break down forms and rebuild them with color. And like Cézanne, Picasso invites us to really look, to question our assumptions about space and form. It's a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about the ongoing conversation.