Still Life
Still Life
‘Still Life
with a Bottle of Rum’
Pablo Picasso
- 1911
- Oil on Canvas
- 61.3 x 50.5 cm
This work was created by Picasso in a small town in France,
called Crete. He worked alongside Georges Braque. Together they developed the
style of ‘Cubism’ and this painting was created during the most abstract time
of ‘Cubism’ call the Analytic “High” Cubism.
Within the painting there is a round table, a glass, a
bottle of rum and a pipe. This is also one of the first paintings by Picasso
which included letters.
‘Oleanders’
Van Gogh
- 1888
- Oil on Canvas
- 60.3 x 73.7 cm
This painting was created by Van Gogh as he loved oleanders.
He thought they were joyous and were “Life
affirming flowers that bloomed inexhaustibly” – Van Gough. He liked how
they continuously sprouted new, strong shoots.
Within this painting is mainly oleanders that sit within a
jug. The jug is a Majolica Jug which is and Italian tin- glazed pottery which
was first presented at the Great Exhibition in 1851. Van Gogh has used Majolica
Jugs within two other paintings as well. There are also two books balancing on
the edge of the table.
Both Picasso and van Gogh used oil on canvas to create their
still life’s, however Picasso has specifically used small cubic brush strokes
to make them visible, whereas Van Gogh has just painted the still life and
allowed any visible marks to remain. I think Picasso’s mark making relates well
to the atmosphere of his painting, emphasised through the colour palette. While
Van Gogh’s softer, more delicate brushstrokes convey a more relaxed and
peaceful atmosphere which is effective with the oleanders.