WHAT IS CUBISM?

What happens when artists challenge the very way we perceive the world around us? Cubism did just that. It was a revolutionary and fresh approach to art, invented by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in Paris, 1907-1908. This form of art would soon prove to be influential. Cubism created a sense of complexity as it introduced the world to fragmented abstract paintings and breaking of figures into distinct planes. But what did it mean to depict a face or a landscape not as a whole, but as fragmented planes? Cubism brought an artist's vision to life, simultaneously displaying different viewpoints.

Cubism was perhaps derived from the word “cube,” which was used in a critical comment by Louis Vauxcelles attributed to Georges Braque’s paintings, which he described as “reducing everything to geometric outlines to cubes.” Cubism later laid the foundation for various abstract branches, such as Constructivism and Neoplasticism.

WHY WAS CUBISM DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FORMS?

As Cubism showed different viewpoints at the same time, it simultaneously challenged the traditional forms of art. When we think of traditional art, what comes to mind? The Renaissance Era, with its focus on realistic human forms and perspective, dominated the artistic world for centuries. Masters like Leonardo da Vinci from this era focused on perfecting perspective and capturing depth. Then came Impressionism, where artists like Claude Monet sought to capture fleeting moments of life through the effects of light and color.

On the other hand, Cubism broke free from both traditions by refusing to confine itself to realistic representation. Instead, it emphasized the two-dimensional flatness of the canvas. This approach contributed to the development of abstract art and deeply influenced later movements like Abstract Expressionism.

INSPIRATION FOR CUBISTS

Paul Cézanne’s late work had a profound influence on the development of Cubism. Cézanne’s approach to breaking down objects into geometric shapes and focusing on the structural integrity of forms heavily inspired Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, the pioneers of Cubism. Braque showed flat spacing, cylindrical forms of trees, tan and green color systems, and uniform brushwork for houses in his paintings—all while still maintaining visual clarity.

But what got the town talking was Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, a groundbreaking work by Picasso in 1907. The painting depicts five nude female figures, transformed into distorted, angular shapes. It was covered in bold colors of progressive, warm reddish-browns and light tones of fading blues. It was thought that Picasso had created a new visual language—Cubism—that had opened the doors to a new chapter in the evolution of modern art.

Was Cubism the beginning of something greater, or just a brief experiment in artistic disruption? This question found its answer as Cubism extended its influence beyond painting. Cubist artists even collaborated with architects to influence design in the early 20th century, creating a cross-pollination of visual art and architecture. The influence of Cubism extended into sculpture and even other artistic fields. Picasso’s own Glass of Absinthe is an iconic example of Cubist sculptures.

TYPES OF CUBISM

There are two types of Cubism: Analytical Cubism and Synthetic Cubism.

Analytical Cubism

Analytical Cubism is considered the early phase of Cubism. It began in 1908 and lasted until 1912. It uses a monochromatic palette of blacks and greys. The forms are dense and firmly put together in the center, and then they begin diffusing at the edges of the canvas. An example of this is the Portrait of Ambroise Vollard.

Synthetic Cubism

Synthetic Cubism, on the other hand, emerged as the modern face of Cubism. By 1912, it had simpler shapes and used bright colors. The paintings in Synthetic Cubism had a more legible appearance compared to the earlier Analytical Cubism. Synthetic Cubism incorporated collage newspapers, which presented a new reality in modern art. An example of this is Picasso’s Still Life with Chair Caning.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, these phases together not only transformed how artists viewed forms of abstraction but also revolutionized artistic expressions. Cubism remains one of the most influential movements in 20th-century art.