Still Life c. 1918

Georges Braque created this still life, rendered in watercolor and pencil, as a study of form and object. Note the fragmented, almost crystalline structure. The guitar depicted here, though deconstructed, retains its symbolic potency. Throughout history, the guitar and similar stringed instruments have signified harmony, creativity, and even revelry. Think of the ancient Greek lyre, emblem of Apollo, god of music and light. Yet, in Braque’s hands, the instrument is fractured, reflecting a world seen from multiple viewpoints. We see how symbols persist, transforming across epochs. The guitar, once a straightforward emblem of joy, now mirrors the complexities and uncertainties of the modern age. The emotional weight of these objects, though abstracted, resonates still, engaging our subconscious understanding of form and meaning. It’s a cyclical progression.