Pedestal 1914

Picasso made this painting, Pedestal, with oil on canvas, but when? It’s not really the point is it? Look how the whole painting is constructed through an almost monochromatic color scheme. This allows the structural composition of the work to come to the forefront. See how everything intersects, but also sits on top of one another? The painting is so subtle, yet it's clear that Picasso is grappling with the representation of three-dimensional space. It’s almost like he is building the painting from the ground up, with the pedestal as its foundation. My eyes are drawn to the area where the dark guitar sound hole overlaps the leg of the pedestal. The interplay of these shapes creates a visual tension that feels so exciting. He’s playing around with your mind, and that’s what makes it so engaging. If you enjoy this, I would recommend you to look at some of Braques pieces from the same period. I think you’ll appreciate the visual dialogue between the two artists. Ultimately, what matters most is how the artwork speaks to you.