Analytic Curbism: Georges Braque's Violin And Palette

Georges Braque’s Violin and Palette is a work of analytic cubism, the second period in the development of cubism. This form of cubism uses rudimentary shapes and overlapping planes to deconstruct and then reconstruct objects within a painting. It is a more structured and monochromatic approach in comparison to other cubist stages. Along with other cubist artists, Braque abandons vivid fauvist palettes and traditional academic perspective to achieve this. As Braque himself noted, “When fragmented objects appeared in 1909, it was a way for me to get as close as possible to the object as painting allowed.” Geometrized synthesis lead him to streamlined faceted structures, smoothed spatial planes and quieted hues. The violin is fractured into multiple facets, and these facets merge with the fragmented background. The painting feels invigorating

The viewer uses their prior knowledge of a violin and what they can see to achieve this. The vertically arranged facets within the guitar correspond with the two dimensional shapes in the background. This vertical arrangement highlights the breaking down of a three dimensional object, then rearranging it back into a two dimensional shape.

Braque paints the nail in the background in an illusionistic manner, as fine subtle details such as shadows create the sense of reality. The element of realism acts as a reference point to suggest the real world, as viewers try to draw parallels with the two different portrayals of subjects. By doing this, Braque constrains us to analyse the painting