Georges Braque

Le Bougeoir [The Candlestick]

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About this artwork

This is a very early example of one of Braque's paintings that includes lettering. The purpose of this lettering was to question the relationship between words, pictures and the objects they represent. Here, the lettering identifies the French-Catalan newspaper L'Indépendant, while the numbers refer to its price. Towards the top of the picture is a candle, which helps identify the shape below as a candlestick. A simple clay pipe- the kind Braque smoked - lies to the centre right, and below it are a bobbin and a pair of scissors.

Updated before 2020

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  • artist:
    Georges Braque (1882 - 1963) French
  • title:
    Le Bougeoir [The Candlestick]
  • date created:
    1911
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    46.20 x 38.20 cm; Framed: 70.10 x 62.50 x 6.30 cm / 9.00 kg
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased 1976
  • accession number:
    GMA 1561
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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Georges Braque

Georges Braque