What is cubism?

When we think of Cubism, we immediately think of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. But this artistic movement from the early 20th century is intriguing. But what exactly is cubism? Don't panic, Museum TV is here to explain it to you.

Picasso and Braque

It all began when Louis Vauxcelles coined the term "cubism" after seeing a painting by Braque entitled "Maisons à l'Estaque". The term was coined when the art critic noticed that the work was made up of small cubes.

Cubism developed from 1907 onwards. This movement was characterised by the fragmentation and deconstruction of traditional forms. Cubist artists rejected realistic representation and the illusion of linear perspective in favour of a multidimensional dimension. Cubists deconstructed objects into fundamental geometric shapes, such as cubes, spheres and cylinders, and reassembled them in a composition far removed from reality.

Unfortunately, the First World War put an end to the movement. Today, Pablo Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" and Georges Braque's "Le grand nu" are considered to be the first Cubist works.

You now have a good understanding of what cubism is! A fascinating artistic movement that continues to be appreciated in the most visited museums in the world.

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