Cubism: How Picasso and Others Broke From Tradition to Transform Modern Art

What is Cubism?

Les Demoiselles d’Avignonis perhaps Picasso’s most famous piece from his African Period.

This period lasted from 1908 through 1912 and is characterized by chaotic paintings offragmented subjectsrendered inneutral tones.

Synthetic Cubism

Synthetic Cubismis the movement’s second phase, emerging in 1912 and lasting until 1914.

While most artists are known for one iconic style, Picasso’s changed several times during his lifetime.

Some of his most distinct periods include the Blue Period, Cubism, and Surrealism.

Pablo Picasso, “Girl with a Mandolin,” 1910 (Photo:MoMA,PD-US)

His most notable works were still lifes and landscapes made within the Cubist aesthetic.

Post-Impressionism

Cubists borrowed several artistic elements employed by Post-Impressionist paintersnamely,Paul Cezanne.

These include flat planes of color, geometric forms, and, most significantly, adistorted sense of perspective.

Georges Braque, Detail of “Landscape at La Ciotat,” 1907

Cezanne, and after him Picasso and myself, can take a lot of credit for this.

Futuristsfound inspiration in Cubism’s energetic compositions, whileSurrealistsadopted and adapted collage art.

Marcel Duchamp (Dadaist), Nude Descending a Staircase No.

Pablo Picasso, “Gertrude Stein,” 1905–1906

What are four characteristics of Cubism?

What are three different styles of Cubism?

There were three primary phases of Cubism: Proto-Cubism, Analytical Cubism, and Synthetic Cubism.

Pablo Picasso, “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon,” 1907

Georges Braque, “Viaduct at L’Estaque,” 1908

Pablo Picasso, “Still Life with a Bottle of Rum,” 1911 (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of ArtviaWikimedia Commons)

Georges Braque, “Still Life with Metronome,” 1909 (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art,PD-US)

Juan Gris, “Portrait of Picasso,” 1912 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Juan Gris, “Still Life with Bordeuaux Bottle,” 1919 (Photo: The Yorck Project viaWikimedia CommonsPublic domain)

Georges Braque, “Rum and Guitar,” 1918 (Photo:L’Opinion,PD-US)

Pablo Picasso, “Head,” 1913–1914 (Photo:National Galleries, Edinburgh,PD-US)

Photograph of Pablo Picasso, 1962 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Photo of Georges Braque, 1908 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Juan Gris, “Still Life Before an Open Window, Plane Ravignan,” 1915 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Paul Cézanne, “Mont Sainte-Victoire,” 1904–1906 (Photo: The Yorck Project viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Henri Matisse, “Portrait of Madame Matisse,” 1905

Marcel Duchamp (Dadaist), “Nude Descending a Staircase No. 2,” 1912 (Photo:Philadelphia Museum of ArtviaWikimedia Commons)