Violon et guitare (Violin and Guitar)

The painting Violon et guitare (Violin and Guitar), from 1913, was originally part of the bequest left to the Museo del Prado by Douglas Cooper, a major expert on the works of Juan Gris. Among the artist’s output, this oil painting is particularly representative of his formal development, clearly showing the change that Juan Gris went through from 1913. Indeed, the volumetric aspect that characterised the objects in the painter’s earlier works has disappeared almost completely (perhaps just being detected in the cup on the right of the picture) while the fragmentation of the space, by means of a grid of horizontal and vertical lines, is indisputable. Also, one of Juan Gris’ favourite motifs, the guitar, is presented as absolute protagonist of the scene.

Paloma Esteban Leal