Suite Puciere 1978

Jean Hélion made this still life, “Suite Puciere,” using color pencils in 1976. Here we observe a collection of everyday objects arranged on a table, vessels, and what appears to be a stove top. The pitcher-like objects are particularly striking; they echo forms from ancient Greek vases, vessels meant to hold and serve wine at symposia. The pitcher form then resurfaces during the Renaissance as an emblem of hospitality in domestic scenes. Consider the pitchers of Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus. One almost senses a psychological desire to return to a simpler time, represented through these archetypal forms. Even in this seemingly abstract setting, these subconscious echoes resonate, engaging us on a deep, intuitive level. The objects here are deconstructed and reassembled, revealing a complex interplay of past and present. As these symbols evolve and take on new meanings, they also embody our evolving perceptions and emotional relationships with the world around us.