Some people allude that in this painting Picasso honors his poet friend, Apollinaire as well as mocking his rival (Matisse) who was attempting his own attempt at Cubism. Let's check it out together . . .
Allow your focus to zero in on the arc moving through the blue sky and the partial purple triangle above. Notice the color of the sky changes, representing possibly the cycles of life. The black and white grid at the top and bottom of the campus has been said to represent a jab at his rival Matisse's attempt to create his own Cubism art.
We can see an eye clearly detailed in the yellow mandolin's base, which is supposed to contain a profile of Apollinaire. (At this point I freely admit imagination plays a bigger part in this endeavor than reality). Picasso's profile is rumored to be embedded to the right of the "eye" finally stopping below the table that the still life rests upon. My favorite part of this painting is the blue and beige wall / and the window to the right of the guitar. There is also a wonderful assortment of an table, dresser and very ordinary wallpaper, very colorful shading around the window and at the base of the balcony. Not to mention the other "eye" in the black profile leading down to the bluish alien resting between the mandolin and the guitar.
What do you see and think about when you view this painting? What are some of your favorite paintings? Who is your favorite painter?
