Sandra Song

Few art movements have upended Western culture quite like Cubism, with its geometric shapes and 3D illusionism. One of the most important artistic innovations of the 20th century, the technique was a radical rejection of centuries-old techniques used to create flat depictions of green pastures, bowls of fruit, and Jesus. So whether or not you agree with the “ugly boxes” critique, there’s no denying that Cubism was integral to the creation of everything we now consider to be “modern art.” And that’s exactly why Pablo Picasso’s name is still synonymous with “visionary genius,” any reputable museum has at least one Georges Braque, and we’re addressing some frequently asked questions about a movement that changed the face of culture and created at least one Picasso-related [TikTok trend](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/okay-i-like-it-picasso).

#### What’s Cubism?

In a nutshell, Cubism breaks down its subject into simpler geometric shapes, views each component from varying perspectives, and then reassembles these multiple vantage points into a single image. The end result is an abstract assemblage of fragmented cubic, conic, and prismatic components that emphasize the canvas as a flat, 2D surface through the use of illusionism, or using 3D objects to create a sense of depth, the illusion of space, and a theoretical approach to time. Sculpture was also an [important part of the Cubist movement](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/500442), though most artists were more interested in the study and depiction of progressive movement.  

Cubism was pioneered around the turn of the century by Picasso and his close friend Braque,  who were both inspired by [Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/435871), who also attempted to depict subjects from slightly different angles. Starting around 1907 with the unveiling of Picasso’s proto-Cubist “[Demoiselles D’Avignon](https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79766),” the painting created shockwaves with its clear departure from long-standing European norms in favor of non-Western traditions, specifically the bold stylization of African masks that were still clear representations of the human face. 

#### What’s the main point of Cubism?

Cubism isn’t just about 3D aesthetics and multiple perspectives, but showing the “greater truth” of its subjects. By examining each component of a subject from multiple angles, the Cubists were questioning our idea of perception versus reality, while persuading viewers that there are different ways of seeing. 

Given the artifice of the canvas and the fact that our ever-changing reality can never be accurately reproduced by the human hand, Cubist works were also statements on the fluid continuum of time, as depicting these viewpoints all at once was made a poignant statement about our perceptions from past, present, and future. 

#### Why are art historians (rightfully) obsessed with Cubism? 

Since the Renaissance, naturalist artists have deployed techniques like linear perspective, chiaroscuro, and foreshortening to give their work a sense of depth, volume, and dimension. Cubism was the first avant-garde art movement that challenged these older methods by acknowledging the canvas’ limitations, which set the stage for other artists to experiment with more abstract styles and unconventional material.

While this rebellion technically began with Cézanne and other Impressionists, the Cubists were the ones who made it clear that representing “reality” didn’t have to involve a certain visual aesthetic or even an immediately recognizable subject. Cubism showed that pure naturalist art tends to be surface-level and observational, while the vagueness of the abstract symbols, materials, and concepts make it easier to talk about deeper truths and the human experience. 

Unsurprisingly, the high art crowd treated Cubism like a personal affront, including critic Louis Vauxcelles, who (accidentally) helped coin the term “Cubism” through his derisive review of Braque’s “[Houses at L’Estaque](https://www.artchive.com/artwork/houses-at-lestaque-georges-braque-1908/).” 

On the other hand, Cubism was a hit with the bohemians of the Parisian avant-garde for its brazen look, air of subversion, and intellectual bent. So regardless of the negative press, Picasso and Braque’s artistic movement was soon joined by other avant-garde experimentalists such as Jean Metzinger and Fernand Léger, eventually blossoming into Analytical Cubism, the first phase of the Cubist movement from 1908 to 1912.

#### What’s Analytical Cubism? 

Known as Analytical Cubism, it was overwhelmingly serious and stoic, defined by its simple geometric representations of everyday objects like [guitars](https://www.wikiart.org/en/pablo-picasso/guitar-player-1910), [drinking glasses](https://www.wikiart.org/en/pablo-picasso/a-glass-1911), and [rum bottles](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/490018). Rendered in a limited color palette of muted browns, gray, and blacks, Analytical Cubism’s focus on the dissection and reassembling of the subject’s minutiae encouraged a more abstract approach to creation.

#### What are some visual examples?

Picasso loved to depict women and musicians, so there are plenty of pieces like “[Guitar Player](https://www.wikiart.org/en/pablo-picasso/guitar-player-1910)” (1910) and “[Head of a Woman (Fernande)](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/500442)” (1909), which is a good example of Cubist sculpture. Braque, on the other hand, was a little more brutal in his renderings of a “[Candlestick and Playing Cards on a Table](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/486839)” (1910) and his “[Still Life With Harp and Violin](https://www.wikiart.org/en/georges-braque/still-life-with-harp-and-violin-1911)” (1911), while maverick newcomer, Juan Gris, went a little wild by incorporating some muted blues into his “[Portrait of Picasso](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/8624/portrait-of-pablo-picasso)” (1912). Then, things started to get a little wild during the second phase, known as Synthetic Cubism.

#### What’s Synthetic Cubism?

Synthetic Cubism, which lasted from 1912 to 1914. With far less emphasis on creating a 3D effect, Synthetic Cubism focused on simpler shapes, different textures, and brighter colors. During this period, artists also began incorporating found objects into these pieces, giving birth to the mixed media collage. They also appear to have developed an even more intense collective fixation on alcohol, glass, newspapers, pipes, and other people’s heads.  

#### What does Synthetic Cubism look like?

Despite coming up with the term Analytic Cubism, Juan Gris primarily made a name for himself  through vibrant Synthetic Cubist pieces such as “[Pear and Grapes on a Table](https://www.wikiart.org/en/juan-gris/pears-and-grapes-on-a-table-1913)” (1913) and “[Guitar and Pipe](https://www.wikiart.org/en/juan-gris/guitar-and-pipe-1913)” (1913). Meanwhile, Braque was working on pieces like “[Woman with a Guitar](https://www.wikiart.org/en/georges-braque/woman-with-a-guitar-1913)” (1913) turned more towards charcoal and chalk-accented collages, focusing on mixed media works like “[Glass, Carafe, and Newspapers](https://www.wikiart.org/en/georges-braque/glass-carafe-and-newspapers-1914)” (1914) and his famed “[Fruit Dish and Glass](https://www.wikiart.org/en/georges-braque/fruitdish-and-glass-1912)” (1912). 

As for Picasso, he worked on pieces like “[Head](https://www.wikiart.org/en/pablo-picasso/head-1913)” (1913), “[Student With Newspaper](https://www.wikiart.org/en/pablo-picasso/student-with-newspaper-1913)” (1913), “[Bottle of Vieux Marc, Glass, Guitar, and Newspaper](https://www.wikiart.org/en/pablo-picasso/bottle-of-vieux-marc-glass-guitar-and-newspaper-1913),” and “[Glass, Newspaper, and Die](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/755496)” (1914), which has the coolest name out of his entire oeuvre. But all good things must come to an end, meaning that Picasso decided to move onto Neoclassical and Surrealist styles. However, he did end up combining elements of Cubism into some of his work, including “[Guernica](https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en/collection/artwork/guernica)” (1937), his iconic anti-war painting depicting the German bombing of the city during the Spanish Civil War.

#### Who are some cool modern Cubists on Cohart?

There are so many artists putting their own spin on Cubism, including [Dylan Gill](https://www.cohart.com/u/dylangillart), who incorporates social commentary about technology, performativity on social media, and modern relationships into dynamic paintings like “Ascendance,” “The World Is a Stage,” and “The Advocate.”

There’s also [Gabe Weis](https://www.cohart.com/u/gabe), a California-based Cubist that infuses elements Neo-Expressionism into pieces like “Fight Against What?,” Art Nouveau on “Show Your Humanity,” and Hard-Edged painting on “Meaning.”

But also make sure to keep an eye out for rising Cubist-inspired artists like the [graffiti-inspired](https://www.cohart.com/artworks/12047?fromListingName=Discover&fromListingId=discover) works of [Jidew](https://www.cohart.com/u/jidew/artworks), [Praveen Raju](https://www.cohart.com/u/rajum796440/artworks)’s experiments in [different mediums](https://www.cohart.com/artworks/9061?fromListingName=Profile&fromListingId=profile), and [Ishita Banerjee](https://www.cohart.com/u/soulcurryart)’s colorful examinations of [facial features](https://www.cohart.com/artworks/6513?fromListingName=Profile&fromListingId=profile).


Cohart 101: What is Cubism?

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