The Bottle of Anís del Mono (1914)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
Juan Gris’s striking composition, "The Bottle of Anís del Mono," created in 1914, is a stellar example of Cubist art that leans heavily into the collage technique, a method quite popular among Cubist artists of the time. This painting intricately assembles pieces of newspaper, wallpaper, and labels, breathing life into an abstract still-life.Centered in the composition is the product label for Anís del Mono, a popular Spanish anise-flavored liquor. The label, featuring the brand’s iconic imagery and typography, is dramatically framed by fragmented forms and contrasting textures. Gris employs a muted color palette dominated by browns and grays, with stark geometrical shapes that hint at the outlines of a table or room, elements commonly depicted in traditional still lifes.The surface’s collage elements subtly integrate commercial and textual details, creating an interplay between textual communication and visual perception. This not only underlines the daily cultural and consumer context of the time but also highlights the artist's innovative approach to texture and form.This artwork invites viewers to explore the boundaries between painted and pasted elements, challenging perceptions of reality and artifice.