Still life (The dessert) 1901

With expressive brushstrokes of blue, orange and white, Pablo Picasso created 'Still Life (The Dessert)'. I can imagine Picasso working quickly here, making decisive marks and filling in the gaps between objects. There's a lovely push and pull, as the flowers seem to fall forward, while the fruit bowl rises up behind them. The blue seeps into everything, grounding the colors and making them sing. I wonder if he knew just how radical this painting was when he made it? Those objects, so close and familiar, seem to dance on the canvas in a way that is distinctly Picasso. This still life makes me think of other artists who experimented with form and color, like Cézanne and Matisse, yet Picasso takes it to a new level of abstraction. He's in conversation with them, pushing the boundaries of what painting can be.