What is Cubism? Art Movements & Styles

Summary

Cubism, a revolutionary art movement, was pioneered by Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso in the early 1900s. They defied traditional single-perspective representation by depicting subjects from multiple angles simultaneously. Although the term 'Cubism' originated from a critic's insult, it became widely accepted. Cubist techniques, evident in works like Picasso's 'Tête' and Braque's 'Le Bougeoir', questioned the relationship between words, pictures, and objects. The movement spread globally, influencing various styles and creative disciplines, and is considered one of the most radical and influential art movements of the 20th century, leading to abstraction.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Cubism is recognized as a highly innovative and revolutionary art movement in the history of art.
• 👨‍🎨 The two key figures credited with inventing Cubism are Georges Braque from France and Pablo Picasso from Spain.
• 🔄 Cubist artists represented subjects from multiple angles simultaneously, breaking from the traditional single perspective approach.
• 📚 The term 'Cubism' originated from a critic's derogatory comment about Braque's work, suggesting it reduced subjects to cubes.
• 🖼️ Picasso's 'Tête' is a notable example of Cubist art, showcasing abstract and collage techniques.
• 🔠 Braque and Picasso started to include letters in their Cubist works to explore the relationship between words, images, and objects.
• 🕯️ Braque's 'Le Bougeoir' is an early example of Cubism incorporating lettering, questioning the representation of objects.
• 🌐 Cubism influenced a group of Paris-based artists like Fernand Léger, Robert Delaunay, and Sonia Delaunay, who emphasized the flatness of the painting surface.
• 🌍 The Cubist style spread globally, particularly gaining popularity in Russia where it resonated with revolutionary ideas.
• 🏴 Cubism inspired various styles and movements worldwide, including Futurism in Italy, Vorticism in Britain, Suprematism and Constructivism in Russia, and influenced other creative fields beyond painting.
• 🔑 Cubism's impact and its many derivatives make a strong case for it being the most radical and influential art movement of the 20th century, leading to new forms of representation and abstraction.

Q & A

What is Cubism and why is it considered revolutionary?

Cubism is an avant-garde art movement characterized by the depiction of subjects from multiple angles simultaneously, breaking away from the traditional single perspective. It is considered revolutionary because it challenged conventional artistic representation and led to the development of abstraction in art.

Who are the two artists most commonly associated with the invention of Cubism?

Georges Braque from France and Pablo Picasso from Spain are the two artists most pivotal to the development of Cubism and are often referred to as its 'inventors'.

How did the term 'Cubism' originate?

The term 'Cubism' originated from a derogatory remark by an art critic in 1908 who criticized Braque for reducing everything 'to geometric schemas, to cubes'. The term soon became widespread and the movement was named after it.

Can you describe one of Picasso's most celebrated Cubist artworks?

'Tête' is one of Picasso's most celebrated Cubist artworks, known for its abstract representation of a head's profile using geometric shapes and pasted elements to depict the face, hair, and neck.

What was the purpose of incorporating letters into Cubist works?

The incorporation of letters into Cubist works, as seen in Braque's 'Le Bougeoir', was intended to question the relationship between words, pictures, and the objects they represent.

How did the Cubist movement spread and influence other art forms?

Cubism quickly spread across Europe and America, influencing various styles and countries, including Futurism in Italy, Vorticism in Britain, Suprematism and Constructivism in Russia. It also inspired movements in architecture, music, and literature.

What is the significance of the painting 'Le Bougeoir' by Braque?

'Le Bougeoir' is significant as it is an early example of a Cubist painting that includes lettering, showcasing Braque's exploration of the relationship between visual and textual elements in art.

Which other artists in Paris were influenced by the Cubist movement?

Artists such as Fernand Léger, Robert Delaunay, and Sonia Delaunay in Paris were influenced by the Cubist movement, emphasizing the flatness of the painting surface while representing three-dimensional subjects.

How did Cubism influence the art scene in Scotland?

In Scotland, artists like William Crozier displayed a strong affinity with Cubism, as evidenced by their paintings, such as a Cubist-influenced depiction of Edinburgh from the late 1920s.

What are some of the offshoots of the Cubist movement?

Cubism splintered and morphed into various styles across different countries, including Futurism in Italy, Vorticism in Britain, and Suprematism and Constructivism in Russia.

Why is Cubism considered the most radical and influential art movement of the 20th century?

Cubism is considered the most radical and influential art movement of the 20th century due to its far-reaching impact, its role in the development of abstraction, and its influence on various creative disciplines and subsequent art movements worldwide.