Second Glass of Whisky - Patrick Caulfield

A striking 1969 still life by Patrick Caulfield, featuring a glass of whisky rendered with bold outlines and dramatic, geometric light against a dark background.

Patrick Caulfield, a central figure in British Pop Art, produced Second Glass of Whisky in 1969. The work demonstrates his characteristic approach to the still life genre, where he employs a stark, graphic language to represent everyday objects. Caulfield often utilised flat areas of colour and bold, black outlines to define his subjects, a technique that draws from commercial illustration and sign painting. In this composition, the artist presents a single glass of amber liquid set against a deep, textured black background. The scene is punctuated by geometric shapes of light, which suggest the presence of windows or architectural elements outside the frame. These simplified forms create a sense of spatial ambiguity, as the light appears to exist as a physical object rather than a natural phenomenon. The contrast between the dark, heavy background and the precise, luminous highlights creates a tension between the representational subject and the abstract arrangement of shapes. Caulfield was known for his interest in the mundane, often choosing subjects that were unremarkable in their own right. By isolating the glass of whisky, he invites the viewer to consider the object through a formal lens. The deliberate lack of detail in the surrounding space forces the eye to focus on the interplay of light and shadow. This work reflects the artist's broader interest in the history of painting, particularly the tradition of the still life, while simultaneously subverting those conventions through a modern, graphic aesthetic. The result is a quiet, contemplative image that avoids narrative clutter, favouring instead a rigorous examination of form, colour, and the act of looking itself. The work remains a clear example of his ability to transform the ordinary into a precise, visual statement.