Café 'Royan' 1940

Pablo Picasso painted ‘Café Royan’ using oil on canvas. Picasso was interested in representing the modern world, and oil paint, despite being a traditional medium, was his chosen material for portraying urban settings. The thick application of paint, and the fragmented forms, show the influence of Cubism. Notice how the materials influence the artwork’s appearance. Oil paint offers a range of possibilities because its consistency allows for blending and layering. The canvas provides a textured ground for the paint to adhere to, while the brushstrokes add to the artwork’s tactile quality. The processes Picasso engaged with in creating the painting are essential to understanding its significance. The use of oil paint and brushstrokes connects the painting to a long history of fine art, while the fractured forms and flattened perspective reflect the influence of modernism. The painting captures the energy and dynamism of urban life in the early 20th century. Ultimately, the materials, making, and context are crucial to understanding the full meaning of ‘Café Royan’.