The artwork titled “Pedestal Table” was created by the artist Georges Braque in 1913, amidst the fertile cultural environment of France. The piece utilizes a collage technique augmented with oil on canvas, embodying the aesthetic principles of Synthetic Cubism, an art movement characterized by the combination of different textures, surfaces, and materials to synthesize a new reality. The physical dimensions of the artwork measure 91 cm in height and 71 cm in width, and its genre is that of a still life. Currently, this notable work is held in a private collection.
The artwork itself presents an intricate composition of overlapping and interlocking shapes rendered in a monochromatic palette. Braque’s employment of paper elements, stenciled letters, and a flattened perspective are quintessential features of Synthetic Cubism. Traditional notions of depth and form are purposefully negated to emphasize the two-dimensional surface of the canvas. Within the composition, one may discern the fragmented depiction of a pedestal table and other objects, broken down into geometric forms and planes that defy conventional representation. This subversion of perspective and representation is a deliberate challenge to the viewer’s perception, inviting a more engaged and analytical interaction with the painting. The presence of letters and numbers interspersed among the shapes provides visual cues to the representational elements within the artwork, while the varying textures add complexity to the visual experience.
