What Is Cubism? Definition, History & Examples

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    Matt Guest

    Cubism is an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in France. It is considered one of the most influential art movements of the modern era.

    The artists who developed cubism sought to depict the world in a new way, breaking objects down into geometric shapes and rearranging them in abstract compositions.

    This new way of representation was a reaction to the traditional methods of Renaissance perspective.

    Cubism is characterized by the use of geometric shapes such as cubes, spheres, and cones, and the fragmentation of the subject matter.

    The artists used multiple viewpoints and overlapping planes to create a sense of depth and movement in the painting.

    This technique is called “multiple perspective” and it was first used by Paul Cézanne, who is considered one of the forerunners of cubism.

    Some of the most iconic cubist artists include Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Juan Gris, and Georges Valmier.

    Picasso’s famous painting “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” is considered a masterpiece of the cubist style, while Braque’s “The Violin” is considered one of the finest examples of Analytical cubism.

    Cubism had a profound influence on the development of modern art and its techniques and ideas can be seen in the works of many other art movements such as Surrealism, Futurism, and Constructivism.

    What Is Cubism In Art?


    Cubism is an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in France.

    The artists associated with the movement, including Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, sought to break down objects into basic geometric shapes and then reassemble them in abstracted, often asymmetrical forms.


    Cubism is considered a revolutionary style of art because it challenged the traditional idea of art as a representation of the physical world and instead presented multiple perspectives and fragmented forms simultaneously.

    Influential Cubist Artists


    Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque are considered the most influential artists associated with the Cubism movement.

    They began working in a Cubist style around 1907 and continued to develop and refine the style throughout the early 1910s.

    Other notable Cubist artists include Juan Gris, whose work often had a more graphic and precise quality than that of Picasso and Braque, and Georges Valmier, who was known for his use of color and his focus on the human form.


    Other artists such as Francis Picabia, Amedeo Modigliani, and Sonia Delaunay also contributed to the development and evolution of Cubism.

    Cubism’s Place In Art History


    Cubism is considered a revolutionary movement in art history, as it marked a significant departure from traditional techniques of representation.

    Cubist artists sought to break down the subjects of their paintings and sculptures into basic geometric shapes, such as spheres, cylinders, and cones, and then reassemble them in abstracted, often asymmetrical forms.

    This approach allowed them to depict multiple perspectives and convey a sense of movement and depth within a single image.


    Cubism had a profound impact on the art world, paving the way for the development of other avant-garde movements such as Futurism, Constructivism, and Surrealism.

    It also influenced the development of other art forms such as architecture, fashion, and graphic design. Additionally, Cubism had a significant impact on the development of abstract art and the rise of non-representational art in the 20th century.

    Cubism continues to be an important and influential movement in the history of art and continues to be studied and admired by art enthusiasts and scholars alike.

    When Did Cubism Become Popular?


    Cubism first emerged as a distinct art movement in the early 1900s, with the work of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque being considered the first examples of the style.

    The movement began to gain widespread recognition and popularity around 1907 to 1908. The first public showing of Cubist paintings was held in Paris in 1908 at the Salon des Indépendants.

    The same year, the art dealer Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler began representing Picasso and Braque, and in 1909 he held the first solo exhibition of their works.


    Cubism continued to evolve and gain popularity in the 1910s, with the establishment of the Section d’Or group in 1912, which brought together many of the key Cubist artists of the time.

    The Cubist movement reached its peak of popularity in the years leading up to World War I, before it began to decline in popularity in the 1920s with the rise of other avant-garde movements such as Surrealism.

    Cubism was a major influence on the art that followed it, and it is considered one of the most important movements in the history of art.

    Cubism Examples – Paul Cézanne, Bibemus Quarry, C.1895


    Paul Cézanne is considered one of the key forerunners of the Cubism movement, although he never considered himself a Cubist.

    His work, particularly his series of paintings of the Bibemus Quarry, which he began in the 1890s, strongly influenced the development of Cubism.

    In these paintings, Cézanne depicts the quarry, a site of stone extraction near his hometown of Aix-en-Provence, in a fragmented and abstracted manner, breaking down the forms of the rocks and cliffs into basic geometric shapes.


    Cézanne’s approach to painting, which emphasized the use of color and the manipulation of form to create a sense of depth and movement, was a significant influence on the early Cubist artists, such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.

    His emphasis on the simplification and abstraction of form anticipated the reduction of natural forms to basic geometric shapes that would become a hallmark of Cubist art.

    Cézanne’s paintings of the Bibemus Quarry are considered an important link between the traditional techniques of representation and the revolutionary new approach of the Cubists.

    Cubism Examples – Pablo Picasso, “Girl With Mandolin,” 1910


    “Girl with a Mandolin” is a painting by the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, created in 1910.

    It is considered an early example of cubism, a style of art that Picasso and Georges Braque developed in the early 20th century.

    In cubism, objects are broken down into geometric shapes and reassembled in abstract forms.


    In “Girl with a Mandolin,” Picasso’s use of fragmented shapes and contrasting planes create a sense of movement and depth, while the subject’s facial features and the mandolin are reduced to simplified, abstract shapes.

    The painting is currently held in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

    Cubism Examples – Georges Braque, Mandora, 1909-10


    “Mandora” is a painting by the French artist Georges Braque, created between 1909 and 1910. It is considered an early example of cubism, a style of art that Braque and Pablo Picasso developed in the early 20th century.

    In cubism, objects are broken down into geometric shapes and reassembled in abstract forms.


    In “Mandora,” Braque’s use of fragmented shapes and contrasting planes create a sense of movement and depth, while the subject of the painting, a lute-like instrument called a mandora, is reduced to simplified, abstract shapes.

    The painting is currently held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

    Cubism Examples – Juan Gris: Le Petit Déjeuner (Breakfast) (1914)


    “Le Petit Déjeuner” (Breakfast) is a painting by the Spanish artist Juan Gris, created in 1914. It is considered an example of Synthetic Cubism, a later phase of cubism that emerged around 1912.

    Synthetic cubism is characterized by the use of cut paper and other materials, as well as the use of multiple views of the same subject in one composition.


    In “Le Petit Déjeuner,” Gris used cut paper and other materials to create a collage-like effect on the canvas.

    The subject, a still life of a breakfast table, is depicted in a simplified and abstracted style. The painting is currently held in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Analytical And Synthetic Cubism


    Cubism is an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century and was developed by artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.

    The movement is characterized by the use of geometric shapes, fragmented forms, and multiple viewpoints to depict the subject.

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

    Analytical Cubism, which emerged between 1907-1912, is characterized by the reduction of the subject matter to basic geometric shapes such as circles, spheres, and cylinders.

    The subject is broken down into its constituent parts and reassembled in an abstracted form.

    The artists used monochromatic colors and the brushstrokes are often small and precise.

    The goal of Analytical Cubism was to depict the subject matter in a more complete and accurate manner by showing multiple viewpoints simultaneously.


    Synthetic Cubism, which emerged around 1912, is characterized by the use of cut paper and other materials, as well as the use of multiple views of the same subject in one composition.

    It is a more decorative and colorful approach than Analytical Cubism. The artists used a wider range of color, and the brushstrokes are often larger and more expressive.

    The goal of Synthetic Cubism was to create a new reality through the combination of different materials and viewpoints.

    In summary, Analytical Cubism is focused on breaking down the subject matter and examining it in depth, while Synthetic Cubism is focused on creating a new reality through the combination of different materials and viewpoints.

    Understanding Cubism In Modern Times


    Cubism continues to be a significant influence on modern art and has had a lasting impact on the development of abstract art.

    The techniques and concepts developed by cubist artists such as Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Juan Gris have been adopted and adapted by many artists in the 20th and 21st centuries.

    In the decades following the emergence of cubism, artists continued to explore the use of geometric shapes and abstraction in their work.

    The style had a significant influence on movements such as Futurism, Constructivism, and Surrealism.

    Cubism also had a significant impact on the development of abstract expressionism in the mid-20th century.


    Artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning were influenced by the cubist emphasis on the use of color and the manipulation of form.

    Cubism also continues to influence contemporary art. Many contemporary artists continue to explore the use of geometric shapes, fragmentation, and multiple viewpoints in their work.

    Some contemporary artists also continue to use collage and other mixed media techniques, drawing inspiration from Synthetic Cubism.

    In summary, Cubism continues to be a significant influence on modern art and its techniques and concepts are still relevant and used today.

    The style continues to inspire contemporary artists and its legacy is still visible in various forms of modern art.

    How To Understand A Picasso – Cubism Meaning


    To understand a Picasso painting in the cubist style, it is helpful to understand the basic principles of cubism and the specific techniques and concepts used by the artist.

    Cubism is characterized by the use of geometric shapes, fragmented forms, and multiple viewpoints to depict the subject.

    The goal of cubist artists was to show the subject matter in a more complete and accurate manner by showing multiple viewpoints simultaneously.

    In Picasso’s cubist paintings, this is often achieved through the use of fragmentation, where the subject is broken down into its constituent parts and reassembled in an abstracted form.

    When looking at a Picasso cubist painting, it is important to note the use of color, shape, and texture. Picasso often used a limited palette of earth tones and monochromatic colors, and his brushstrokes are often small and precise.


    The shapes in his paintings are often simplified and abstracted, and the use of texture is minimal.

    It’s also important to consider the subject matter of the painting, as Picasso often incorporated elements of everyday life into his cubist works.

    For example, in his painting “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” (1907), Picasso portrayed five women in a brothel, but instead of presenting them realistically, he used cubist techniques to abstract their features and to present them in a fragmented way.

    In general, understanding a Picasso cubist painting requires an appreciation of the artist’s unique approach to depicting the subject matter and his use of cubist techniques and concepts.

    It’s also helpful to have some knowledge of the historical and cultural context in which the painting was created.

    What Is Cubism – Wrapping Up


    Cubism is an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, developed by artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.

    It is characterized by the use of geometric shapes, fragmented forms, and multiple viewpoints to depict the subject.

    The goal of cubist artists was to show the subject matter in a more complete and accurate manner by showing multiple viewpoints simultaneously.

    Cubism can be divided into two main types: Analytical Cubism and Synthetic Cubism. Analytical Cubism, which emerged between 1907-1912, is characterized by the reduction of the subject matter to basic geometric shapes such as circles, spheres, and cylinders.

    The subject is broken down into its constituent parts and reassembled in an abstracted form. Synthetic Cubism, which emerged around 1912, is characterized by the use of cut paper and other materials, as well as the use of multiple views of the same subject in one composition.

    Cubism had a significant impact on the development of modern art and continues to be a significant influence on contemporary art.

    The techniques and concepts developed by cubist artists have been adopted and adapted by many artists in the 20th and 21st centuries.

    Understanding cubism requires an appreciation of the use of geometric shapes, fragmentation, and multiple viewpoints, as well as an understanding of the historical and cultural context in which the art was created.

    The post What Is Cubism? Definition, History & Examples appeared first on Filmmaking Lifestyle.