Cubism - what the art movement is, how to recognise and relate to it
I bet you already know Pablo Picasso, have maybe seen George Braque, and maybe also Juan Gris, but if you want to get more context on the art movement they're all classified under - read on.
When was it again? *Between hint right in and between fauvism and futurism.
What’s cubism?
Cubism emerged around 1907–08 under the pioneering hands of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. This movement represented a paradigm shift in the representation of reality, challenging the traditional European art conventions that dominated since the Renaissance. Its origins can be traced to Picasso's seminal work "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," which incorporated elements of this nascent style, and the term itself, as noted by critic Louis Vauxcelles, evolved from Braque's paintings, which he described as reducing everything to "… geometric outlines, to cubes."
A major influence on Cubism was the late work of Paul Cézanne, known for depicting objects from various points of view. Additionally, Picasso's exposure to African tribal masks, which he described as a "… matter of eyes, nose, mouth, which can be distributed in any way you like," significantly impacted the stylistic development of Cubism. These non-naturalistic but humanly evocative masks contributed to the abstraction and simplification seen in Cubist works.
Cubism is broadly divided into two phases: Analytical Cubism (1908–12) and Synthetic Cubism (around 1912–14).
Analytical Cubism, characterized by interwoven planes and lines in muted colors, broke down objects into fragmented, intersecting planes, offering multiple viewpoints within a single artwork. This approach not only emphasized the two-dimensional flatness of the canvas but also marked a radical departure from the illusion of depth created by linear perspective.
Synthetic Cubism, the latter phase, is noted for its simpler shapes, brighter colors, and the integration of collaged elements like newspaper clippings. This incorporation of real-world objects into art initiated one of modern art's most crucial ideas, blurring the line between art and reality. Picasso and Braque's experiments during this phase significantly expanded the boundaries of artistic expression, paving the way for subsequent abstract movements such as Constructivism and Neo-Plasticism.
Cubism, thus, opened up nearly limitless possibilities for treating visual reality in art. Its influence extended far beyond its own era, revolutionizing the way artists perceive and depict the world around them. The movement's legacy, underpinned by its radical techniques and philosophical undercurrents, remains a cornerstone in the narrative of twentieth-century art.
How do we recognise cubism style?
Geometric Shapes: Look for artworks that break down objects into geometric forms like cubes, cylinders, spheres, and cones.
Multiple Perspectives: Notice if the artwork presents different views of the subject (such as a figure or object) within the same piece, creating a fragmented appearance.
Fragmentation: Check if objects and figures are broken up and reassembled in an abstract form, giving the impression of being fragmented.
Flattened Space: Cubist works often lack traditional depth and perspective, emphasizing the two-dimensional flatness of the canvas.
Muted Color Palette: Especially in Analytical Cubism, colors are often subdued, with a focus on greys, browns, and ochres.
Intersecting Planes: Objects may appear as intersecting planes overlapping each other, making it challenging to distinguish individual elements.
Collage Elements: Particularly in Synthetic Cubism, look for the inclusion of non-traditional materials, such as newspaper clippings or other found objects.
Simplified Detail: Cubist paintings might simplify and reduce details, abstracting the represented subjects.
Grid-Like Compositions: The use of a grid or lattice structure is common, which helps to organize the fragmented objects and figures.
Influence of Non-Western Art: Some Cubist works, especially those by Picasso, show a clear influence of African art in the stylization of figures and masks.
Thank you for reading - hope you got something out of it :)