How can Cubist artworks be recognized? We'll introduce you to this revolutionary modern art movement and explore the defining characteristics of Cubism that changed art history forever.

Cubism: Origins and Development

Cubism is an artistic style that emerged in France between 1906 and 1908, representing one of the most revolutionary innovations in 20th-century art from our current perspective. The term "Cubism" derives from the French word "cube" or the Latin "cubus," meaning "cube." The decisive founders of this art movement were Pablo Picasso (1881-1976) and Georges Braque (1882-1963). Emerging from the avant-garde movement in painting, Cubism replaced Fauvism and, together with Fauvism, ushered in classical modernism.

Pro Tip: Explore our paint by numbers collection featuring designs for adults and children, including abstract and geometric patterns inspired by modern art movements.

Cubism broke with the painting traditions that had dominated until then through its revolutionary method of representation. Picasso and Braque rejected a painting style that made illusionistic attempts to represent people, landscapes, and objects spatially and three-dimensionally. In their works, they primarily focused on reducing objects to geometric figures such as cones, spheres, or pyramids. The Cubist art movement thus elevated the principle of artistic abstraction to new heights through mathematical analysis of subjects and their subsequent decomposition into geometric forms. However, Cubism had no official theory or manifesto.

An important precursor to Cubism was Paul Cézanne with his works and artistic concepts. Picasso was also inspired by paintings of El Greco, Paul Gauguin, Henri Rousseau, and the formal aesthetics of African art. In 1914, with the outbreak of World War I, the art movement began to dissolve.

Cubism is primarily divided into two styles: Analytical Cubism and Synthetic Cubism.

Analytical Cubism

Analytical Cubism lasted from 1910 to early 1912 and marked the first phase of the art movement. During this period, artists centered their work on investigating the simultaneous representation of different viewpoints of an object. The closed forms of depicted objects and bodies were thus broken apart in favor of formal rhythm. Picasso and Braque abandoned the rules of foreground, middle ground, background, and central perspective. Even lighting was neglected in the methodology of Analytical Cubism. Moreover, the Cubists painted their works with only a few, rather pale colors.

Key characteristics of Analytical Cubism:

• Multiple viewpoints shown simultaneously
• Fragmentation of objects into geometric shapes
• Limited, monochromatic color palette (browns, grays, ochres)
• Abandonment of traditional perspective
• Objects analyzed and broken down into faceted planes
• Focus on structure over color or emotion

Characteristics of Synthetic Cubism

In Synthetic Cubism, from approximately 1912 onwards, Picasso, Braque, and subsequently Juan Gris changed their artistic style. The object that had been divided into individual geometric figures was now reassembled. Synthetic Cubism moved, unlike its stylistic predecessor, from the abstract to the concrete. In this phase, the Cubists now also used objects that didn't belong together but allowed them to flow into one another. Synthetic Cubism is thus further associated with the emergence of "collage."

The artists glued pieces of paper, newspaper, wallpaper, sand, wood, and similar materials into their now more colorful paintings, creating a three-dimensional vision. This collage technique "papier collé" performed by the Cubists thus forms the basis today for all later collage techniques up to and including ready-mades.

Key characteristics of Synthetic Cubism:

• Introduction of collage elements (papier collé)
• Brighter, more varied color palettes
• Simpler, larger geometric shapes
• Mixed media incorporating real objects
• More decorative and playful approach
• Construction rather than deconstruction of forms

Another form of Cubism is Color Cubism, also called Orphism, which was primarily represented by artist Robert Delaunay. The most important representatives of Cubism include Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Juan Gris.

In summary: Characteristics of Cubism include: flattened volume, confusing perspective, collage, multiple viewpoints, still life subjects, analytical approach, synthetic reconstruction. The Cubists treated nature as if it consisted only of cubes, cones, and spheres.

Examples of Cubist Artworks

Notable examples of Cubist paintings include:

1. Fruit Bowl, Violin and Bottle, 1914 by Pablo Picasso
2. Clarinet and Bottle of Rum on a Mantelpiece, 1911 by Georges Braque
3. Still Life, 1914 by Pablo Picasso
4. Bottle of Rum and Newspaper, 1914 by Juan Gris
5. The Sunblind, 1914 by Juan Gris
6. Bottle and Fishes, 1910-1912 by Georges Braque
7. Mandora, 1909-1910 by Georges Braque

The Legacy of Cubism in Modern Art

Cubism's influence extends far beyond its initial period, fundamentally changing how we understand and create art. The movement's principles influenced:

• Abstract Expressionism: The freedom from representational constraints
• Futurism: The representation of movement and dynamism
• Constructivism: The use of geometric forms in composition
• Contemporary Design: Modern architecture and graphic design
• Digital Art: 3D modeling and geometric abstraction

Understanding Cubism Through Practice

While Cubism may seem complex, its principles of breaking down and reconstructing forms can be understood through hands-on creation. Our abstract paint by numbers collection features designs inspired by geometric art movements, allowing you to explore color and form relationships similar to those pioneered by the Cubists.

For those interested in creating personalized geometric art, our custom paint by numbers service can transform your photos into simplified, stylized compositions reminiscent of Cubist techniques.

Key Takeaways About Cubism

1. Revolutionary Approach: Cubism rejected traditional perspective and representation
2. Two Main Phases: Analytical (1910-1912) and Synthetic (from 1912)
3. Geometric Reduction: Objects reduced to basic geometric forms
4. Multiple Viewpoints: Simultaneous representation of different angles
5. Lasting Influence: Fundamentally changed the course of modern art

Experience Art History Through Creation

Understanding art movements like Cubism enriches our appreciation of visual culture and creative expression. Whether you're an art history enthusiast or simply curious about different artistic styles, exploring these concepts through practical creation deepens comprehension.

Browse our complete paint by numbers collection to find designs that resonate with your artistic interests, from classical styles to modern abstract compositions inspired by movements like Cubism.

Remember: Art movements like Cubism remind us that there's no single "correct" way to represent reality. Every artistic innovation opens new possibilities for creative expression!

Share your artistic explorations with #SwynkArtHistory - we celebrate all forms of creative expression!