The two paintings that mark the beginning of Cubism are Picasso’s Les demoiselles d’Avignon (1906-1907) and Braque’s Le Grand Nu (1907-1908). They rejected traditional approaches to perspective, instead they fragmented objects into geometric forms so that multiple perspectives of the subject matter are visible at one time. Cubist painters dismissed the concept that art should duplicate nature. Primitivism also had a marked influence on the Cubist movement. These landscapes were reminiscent of Cezanne’s work, who is generally accepted as the first artist to geometrize forms in art. The influential art critic, Louis Vauxcelles is credited with coining the term ‘Cubism’ after seeing the landscapes Braque had painted at l’Estaque in 1908. This article has been edited and updated.The movement has it’s origins in Cezanne’s paintings and was initiated in Paris by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. There were three primary phases of Cubism: Proto-Cubism, Analytical Cubism, and Synthetic Cubism. What are three different styles of Cubism? From Cubist tattoos to graffiti inspired by Picasso's portraits, these playful pieces showcase the timeless aesthetic, captivating compositions, and lasting legacy of Cubism.Ĭubism is an art movement pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, characterized by fragmented subject matter deconstructed in such a way that it can be viewed from multiple angles simultaneously.Ĭubist art features a single viewpoint, emphasis on overlapping geometric forms, fragmented subjects, and rejection of traditional techniques, such as modeling. In addition to these modern genres, Cubism's influence is also evident in contemporary art. 2,” 1912 (Photo: Philadelphia Museum of Art via Wikimedia Commons) Marcel Duchamp (Dadaist), “Nude Descending a Staircase No. Scientific perspective forces the objects in a picture to disappear away from the beholder instead of bringing them within his reach as painting should.” “Cézanne, and after him Picasso and myself, can take a lot of credit for this. “The hard-and-fast rules of perspective which it succeeded in imposing on art were a ghastly mistake which it has taken four centuries to redress,” Braque explained to The Observer in 1957. These include flat planes of color, geometric forms, and, most significantly, a distorted sense of perspective.

Given the popularity of Post-Impressionism and Braque's own relationship with Fauvism, it is no surprise that both movements played a pivotal role in shaping Cubism.Ĭubists borrowed several artistic elements employed by Post-Impressionist painters-namely, Paul Cézanne. Due to his emphasis on color and simplified geometric shapes, he was integral to the development of the style.įamous works of art: Portrait of Picasso (1912) His earlier works fit into Analytical Cubism, standing apart from Braque and Picasso for their distinctly vibrant color palette-a trait that was partially inspired by the colors of Matisse's paintings.

Spanish-born artist Juan Gris was another integral member of the Cubist art movement. Juan Gris, “Still Life Before an Open Window, Plane Ravignan,” 1915 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Cezanne cubism