Artwork
Smoker with a cigarette-holder
Smoker with a cigarette-holder is an unspecified painting by the Cubism Synthetic artist Amadeo de Souza Cardoso. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.
About this work
Overview
Smoker with a Cigarette-Holder, painted in 1915 by Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, exemplifies the artist's engagement with Synthetic Cubism. Characterized by fragmented forms and structured compositions, the work blends European avant-garde influences with a unique artistic voice.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a relaxed, suit-clad man with a cigarette holder, his face obscured. The subject's identity and emotions are secondary to the exploration of form and composition, reflecting the Cubist emphasis on visual structure over representational detail.
Technique & Style
The work features geometric shapes, bold lines, and a vibrant, multicolored background with noticeable green and blue tones. This abstracted, fragmented approach to depicting the human form aligns with Synthetic Cubism's principles.
History & Provenance
Created during de Souza-Cardoso's period of activity between Paris and Manhufe, the painting is now part of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum's collection, highlighting the artist's connection to both international and Portuguese art circles.
Context
Smoker with a Cigarette-Holder was produced at a pivotal moment in early 20th-century European art, with de Souza-Cardoso contributing a distinct Portuguese perspective to the broader Synthetic Cubism movement.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of Smoker with a Cigarette-Holder on subsequent art movements are not broadly documented, the piece remains significant as a testament to de Souza-Cardoso's innovative role in Portugal's modernist transition.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso (14 November 1887 – 25 October 1918) was a Portuguese painter.
