Guitar

Guitar, created by Georges Braque in 1913, is a pivotal work classified as a drawing that exemplifies the experimental phase of Synthetic Cubism. This complex piece utilizes mixed media on a gessoed canvas, incorporating cut-and-pasted printed and painted paper, charcoal, pencil, and gouache. The ambitious blend of materials and techniques defines the piece’s cultural significance within the early modern period.

Braque’s innovative use of papier collé, or pasted paper, is central to the composition. By introducing commercial, found materials such as newspaper fragments, the French artist challenged traditional artistic representation and intentionally blurred the line between fine art and everyday reality. Braque, along with Pablo Picasso, had begun exploring these collage and drawing techniques around 1912, marking a definitive evolution from the monochromatic structure of Analytical Cubism toward the brighter, flatter planes characteristic of the Synthetic style.

Although the image is highly fragmented and abstracted, the charcoal lines and pencil work clearly delineate the contours and features of the central musical instrument. The careful application of gouache introduces subtle modulations of color and shadow, suggesting volume without relying on traditional perspective. The juxtaposition of the drawn elements with the tactile reality of the printed paper creates a dynamic surface texture, forcing the viewer to constantly reconcile the depicted form with the materials used to construct the work.

This seminal 1913 composition solidified Braque’s reputation as a leader in the European avant-garde. As a key example of how Cubism formally restructured space and representation, the work remains highly influential for subsequent generations of artists. It is proudly held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, where it serves as a central reference point for the study of modern drawing and collage. Due to the enduring historical importance of this masterwork, high-quality prints and reproductions are widely available to art enthusiasts globally.