Cubism wasn’t just a new art style. It was a revolution. A complete rethinking of how we see the world and how artists represent it. It didn’t care for traditional perspective, realism, or even logic. Instead, Cubism shattered the image. Then, it reassembled it—piece by piece—on canvas.
In this guide, we dive deep into cubism, uncovering its history, key figures, defining traits, and some iconic examples. Whether you're an art lover or just curious, there's something eye-opening waiting for you.
A Deep Dive Into Cubism History
The roots of cubism trace back to the early 20th century in Paris, a time of experimentation, abstraction, and unrest. Around 1907, Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque started painting in ways no one had before. They stripped objects of detail. Broke them into flat, angular planes. Ignored depth. It wasn’t pretty, it was radical.Â
Critics at the time were baffled. One, Louis Vauxcelles, mockingly referred to Braque’s 1908 work as made of “little cubes.” That offhand remark gave the movement its name: cubism.
Analytical vs. Synthetic Cubism
Cubism wasn’t static. It evolved. From around 1908 to 1912, Analytical Cubism dominated. Artists deconstructed subjects like violins, faces, and bottles into sharp, fragmented forms. Color took a back seat. The focus was on shape and structure.
Then came Synthetic Cubism (1912–1914). This phase introduced brighter colors, simpler shapes, and collage. Think newspaper scraps, wallpaper, even fabric. It wasn’t just about painting anymore; it was about constructing.
Together, these two phases formed the core of the cubist movement.
Meet the Pioneers – Iconic Cubism Artists
The cubist movement wasn’t the work of one artist. Several bold minds shaped its course, each adding unique elements to the style. Let’s meet them.
Pablo Picasso
The face of cubism. Picasso’s 1907 painting, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, broke all the rules. Five distorted female figures. Angular. Confrontational. Raw. It didn’t fit in any existing art category. It lit the match for Cubism.
Later, Picasso would embrace collage, color, and abstraction in entirely new ways, continuing to push boundaries.
Georges Braque
Picasso’s closest collaborator in the early years. Braque was equally innovative. His work focused heavily on structure and harmony. Unlike Picasso’s emotional chaos, Braque’s Cubism was calculated. Calm. Architectural.
Notable works include Violin and Palette and Houses at l’Estaque.
Juan Gris
The third pillar of cubism artists. Gris brought clarity and precision to the movement. His style was more refined and geometric. He played with color more boldly. His contributions to Synthetic Cubism were especially influential.
Fernand LĂ©ger and Robert Delaunay
LĂ©ger added machinery, movement, and industrial motifs to cubism. His work flirted with abstraction and futurism. Delaunay, on the other hand, created a colorful offshoot known as Orphic Cubism. Think bright circles, rhythm, and visual music.
Cubism Art Characteristics – Breaking Down the Style
So what makes a painting “Cubist”? It’s more than just blocky shapes. Here are the defining cubism art characteristics:
1. Multiple Viewpoints
Cubism defied linear perspective. Instead of showing a subject from one angle, artists combined multiple perspectives. A face could be shown both frontally and in profile, at the same time.
2. Geometric Forms
Organic forms were replaced with geometry like cylinders, cubes, and spheres. Subjects became almost architectural.
3. Flattened Space
There was no foreground or background. Just overlapping planes. Cubist paintings feel compressed. Everything happens on one surface.
4. Limited Color Palette (Analytical Cubism)
Early Cubist works were mostly in browns, grays, and muted greens. The simplicity helped focus attention on form.
5. Collage and Texture (Synthetic Cubism)
Later works featured real materials like paper, wood grain, and sand. Texture became part of the composition.
Together, these elements formed the visual language of cubism.
Curious how Cubism compares with other abstract styles? Check out our deep dive into the different types of abstract art to explore the wider world of visual abstraction.
Famous Cubist Artworks and What They Mean
Cubism is best understood through its art. Here are some defining pieces:
Les Demoiselles d’Avignon – Pablo Picasso (1907)
The spark that ignited cubism. Five nude women with angular faces. Inspired by African masks. It rejected every academic rule.
Violin and Palette – Georges Braque (1909)
A perfect example of Analytical Cubism. Fragmented form. Subtle tones. A violin split into cubes. A challenge to visual perception.
Still Life with Chair Caning – Pablo Picasso (1912)
This piece blended painting and collage. Oil cloth printed with a cane pattern became the “chair.” Real rope framed the piece. Picasso broke the picture plane, redefining what a painting could be.
Portrait of Picasso – Juan Gris (1912)
Gris’s homage to his friend and fellow Cubist. Clean lines. Balanced composition. A synthesis of emotion and geometry.
These works didn’t just depict—they reimagined.
Cubism Beyond Canvas – Influence Across Arts & Culture
The impact of cubism wasn’t limited to painting. It echoed across disciplines.
Literature
Writers like Gertrude Stein and James Joyce embraced fragmentation. Non-linear narratives. Stream of consciousness. Just like a Cubist painting, their stories unfolded from many angles at once.
Architecture and Design
Cubism influenced modernist architecture. Think sharp lines. Flat surfaces. Form over ornament. In graphic design, the movement inspired bold typography and layered compositions.
Music
Composers like Igor Stravinsky played with disjointed rhythms and unpredictable changes. Sound became as fragmented as the visual art.
The cubist movement became a philosophy, one that spread like wildfire.
How Cubism Continues to Shape Modern Art
More than a century later, cubism still leaves its mark.
Digital Art and NFTs
Many digital artists use Cubist principles, breaking subjects into shapes, layering perspectives, using limited color palettes. Cubism’s influence is clear in generative and abstract NFT artwork.
Branding and Visual Identity
Look at modern logos, packaging, and album art. Cubist techniques of bold geometric patterns, abstract forms, are everywhere.
Contemporary Artists
Artists like George Condo, Sarah Morris, and even some street artists reference Cubism in their styles. It’s a visual language that keeps evolving.
The cubist movement may be historical, but its influence is anything but dated.
Final Thoughts
Cubism didn’t just change art. It changed how we see.
It taught us that a subject has more than one face. That beauty doesn’t need realism. That chaos can be ordered and disrupted.
Whether you’re an artist, student, designer, or casual observer, Cubism offers something timeless: the freedom to deconstruct and rebuild reality.