Cubism was a highly influential art movement that emerged in the early 20th century. This art movement boldly challenged traditional notions of representation and perspective. It was pioneered by Pablo Picasso, a Spanish artist, and Georges Braque, a French artist, between 1907 and 1914 in Paris. In Cubism painting, artists rejected the idea that art should merely imitate nature or follow traditional techniques like perspective and modeling. Instead, they emphasized the two-dimensionality of the canvas, breaking down objects into geometric forms and rearranging them within a shallow, relief-like space. Cubist artists also incorporated multiple or contrasting vantage points.
Picasso's Reservoir at Horta de Ebro (1909) and an organized exhibition called "Salle 41" at the Salon des Indépendants in 1911 are considered early examples of Cubist works. "Little Harbor in Normandy" by Georges Braque, exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants in 1909, is also recognized as an early Cubist painting.
Picasso, who had recently arrived in Paris from Spain, was seeking recognition as a painter and alternated between living and working in various cities. Picasso's groundbreaking painting, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, created in 1907, was inspired by African art, which he had encountered during a visit to an ethnographic museum in Paris.
It is believed that African tribal art also played a significant role in shaping the aesthetic of Cubism. Picasso's visit to the ethnographic museum in Paris, where he encountered masks and sculptures from Africa, had a transformative effect on his artistic vision. The stylized and abstract qualities of African art resonated with the artists and became a rich source of inspiration for their exploration of form and expression.
Georges Braque, a major French artist, collaborated with Fauvism and played a crucial role in the development of Cubism. Between 1908 and 1912, Braque's work closely resembled Picasso's Cubist style. However, Braque's more reserved nature resulted in Picasso gaining more fame and attention. The term "Cubism" was coined by the French art critic Louis Vauxcelles after seeing Braque's landscapes painted in 1908 at L'Estaque, which featured geometric forms resembling cubes.
Analytic Cubism, the early phase of the movement, involved the deconstruction and fragmentation of objects into geometric facets and planes. During Analytic Cubism (1910-1912), Picasso and Braque abstracted their works to the point where they became a series of overlapping planes and facets, primarily in browns, grays, or blacks. In addition to their paintings, Picasso and Braque experimented with collage techniques during the Synthetic Cubism phase. They incorporated real-world materials such as newspaper clippings, sheet music, and fragments of printed text into their compositions. This marked a significant departure from traditional art-making processes and expanded the possibilities of artistic expression.
The impact of Cubism extended beyond painting. Sculptors such as Alexander Archipenko, Raymond Duchamp-Villon, and Jacques Lipchitz embraced the principles of Cubism and translated them into three-dimensional form. Cubist sculpture emphasized the use of geometric shapes and the fragmentation of form, challenging conventional sculptural practices. Cubism also had a profound influence on architecture and design. The principles of multiple viewpoints, fragmentation, and the exploration of space informed the work of architects like Le Corbusier and influenced the development of modernist architecture.
Although Picasso and Braque are credited with creating Cubism, many other artists, such as Fernand Léger, Robert and Sonia Delaunay, and Juan Gris, adopted and developed this visual language. Yet another key influences on Cubism was the work of Paul Cézanne, who emphasized the underlying geometric structure of objects and landscapes. His approach to simplifying forms and flattening space had a profound impact on the development of Cubism. Picasso and Braque admired Cézanne's ability to depict multiple viewpoints within a single composition and sought to explore this further.
Cubism had a profound influence not only on painting but also on sculpture and architecture. Cubist sculptors like Alexander Archipenko, Raymond Duchamp-Villon, and Jacques Lipchitz emerged, and the formal concepts of Cubism influenced movements like Dada and Surrealism, as well as abstract artists worldwide.
Some of the world's most famous Cubist-style paintings include:
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"Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907) by Pablo Picasso: This groundbreaking painting is considered one of the most important works in the development of Cubism. It depicts five nude female figures in a highly abstracted and confrontational manner.
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"Guernica" (1937) by Pablo Picasso: Although not strictly a Cubist painting, "Guernica" showcases Picasso's mastery of form and composition. It is a powerful anti-war artwork that depicts the suffering and chaos caused by the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.
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"Violin and Candlestick" (1910) by Georges Braque: This painting by Braque is a quintessential example of Analytic Cubism. It features fragmented and overlapping forms of a violin and a candlestick, breaking down the objects into geometric facets and planes.
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"Woman with a Guitar" (1913) by Georges Braque: This Cubist masterpiece showcases Braque's ability to deconstruct and reconstruct forms. The painting depicts a woman holding a guitar, rendered in a fragmented and abstracted manner.
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"Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2" (1912) by Marcel Duchamp: Although Duchamp's work is often associated with the Dada movement, this painting exemplifies the influence of Cubism. It depicts a figure in motion, fragmented into angular and overlapping shapes.
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"The Portuguese" (1911) by Georges Braque: This painting is regarded as one of the earliest examples of Analytic Cubism. It depicts a man playing a guitar, and its fragmented and faceted forms exemplify the Cubist approach to representing multiple viewpoints.
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"Still Life with Chair Caning" (1912) by Pablo Picasso: This artwork is significant as it marks the introduction of collage elements into Cubism. Picasso incorporated a piece of oilcloth with a chair caning pattern into the painting, blurring the line between painting and sculpture.
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"The Bottle of Suze" (1912) by Juan Gris: Gris was known for his contributions to Synthetic Cubism. This painting features a bottle and a glass, composed of colorful geometric shapes and patterns, showcasing Gris's refined sense of composition and color.
Check out our latest art collection Cubism Bliss inspired by Cubism🧊 on Fine Art America. Though this collection we sought to deconstruct and reconstruct reality of everyday life. Experience the innovative spirit of Picasso, Braque, and Gris as we pay homage to this groundbreaking art movement. We say 'cubism art easy' to every art enthusiast, as it simplify everyone and everything around us. We believe that Cubism is the art of revealing hidden dimensions, where fragments coalesce into a symphony of perspectives.
Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction.
— famous Pablo Picasso cubism quote
In summary, Cubism revolutionized the art world with its innovative approach to representation, breaking down objects into geometric forms, and reimagining space. Picasso and Braque, along with other artists, pushed the boundaries of artistic expression, leading to the development of new art movements and influencing artists for generations to come.
