Flowers in a Vase (Fleurs dans un vase)

Pablo Picasso

1951-53

Painted plaster, terracotta and iron

Nasher Sculpture Center

Willing to use any implements at his disposal, Picasso creatively constructed this bouquet out of a variety of materials. He modeled the flowers in plaster, utilizing small pastry molds to help form the circular pattern of the petals. The iron strap and bars that reinforce the stems are clearly visible on the closed flower, the tip of the bar becoming a pistil. Picasso made the leaves into curving, voluminous lobes and incised lines on their angled faces to indicate the veins. The vase is an actual ceramic vessel. Although sculptural still-lifes are uncommon in the work of other artists, Picasso explored the subject numerous times t