Cubism
What is Cubism?
Cubism is an influential art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily
associated with painters Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. It is considered one of the most
significant developments in the history of Western art and had a profound impact on the way
artists approached representation and the depiction of reality.
What are the key characteristics of Cubism?
1. Geometric Shapes: Cubist artists represented objects and subjects using geometric
shapes, such as cubes, cones, spheres, and cylinders. These shapes were often
fragmented and reassembled in abstract or semi-abstract ways.
2. Multiple Perspectives: Instead of portraying objects from a single, fixed viewpoint,
Cubist artworks often depicted multiple perspectives simultaneously. This approach
allowed artists to explore the subject's form and space from various angles in a single
composition.
3. Analytical and Synthetic Cubism: Cubism evolved over time into two main phases.
i) Analytical Cubism, which began around 1907, focused on breaking
down objects into their basic geometric forms and analyzing them
from different viewpoints. S
ii) Synthetic Cubism, which emerged around 1912, involved the use of
collage and mixed media to create more abstract compositions.
4. Limited Color Palette: Cubist artworks typically used a muted or limited color palette,
often dominated by earthy tones, grays, and browns, although there could be variations
depending on the artist's preferences.
5. Fragmentation and Abstraction: Cubist paintings often appeared fragmented and
abstract, challenging traditional notions of representational art. The goal was not to
replicate reality as it appears to the eye but to deconstruct and reassemble it in a more
intellectual and abstract manner.
Prominent Cubist artists
Prominent Cubist artists, in addition to Picasso and Braque, included Juan Gris, Fernand Léger,
and Robert Delaunay, among others. Cubism marked a departure from traditional artistic
conventions and set the stage for the broader experimentation and innovations that
characterized the modern art movements of the 20th century.
The Guernica
"Guernica" is one of Pablo Picasso's most famous and powerful paintings, created in 1937 in
response to the bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. The painting is a
powerful and haunting depiction of the suffering and horror caused by war, and it has become a
symbol of the devastation and brutality of conflict.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOKknCyQ71I
Key features of "Guernica" include:
1. Monochromatic Palette: The painting is primarily rendered in black, white, and gray,
which adds to its stark and somber atmosphere.
2. Chaotic Composition: "Guernica" is characterized by a chaotic and fractured
composition. The figures and forms are distorted and fragmented, reflecting the chaos
and destruction of war.
3. Symbolism: Various elements in the painting carry symbolic meaning. For example, the
bull and the horse represent the suffering and terror of the civilian population, while the
distorted figures and dismembered bodies convey the sense of horror and pain.
4. The Lightbulb: A prominent lightbulb in the painting's composition is often interpreted as
a symbol of hope amidst the darkness and destruction.
5. Jagged Shapes: The sharp, angular shapes in the painting contribute to the sense of
violence and disarray.
Influence on Other Art Forms
Cubism had a significant influence not only on painting but also on sculpture, architecture,
literature, and even music. It played a role in shaping the development of abstract art and
modernist movements in the early 20th century.
Activity 1
Answer the following questions:
Sure, here are multiple-choice questions related to the topics of Cubism and Picasso's
"Guernica":
1. What art movement is known for representing objects using geometric shapes and
multiple perspectives?
a) Impressionism
b) Surrealism
c) Cubism
d) Abstract Expressionism
2. Which artists are primarily associated with the development of Cubism?
a) Vincent van Gogh and Salvador Dalí
b) Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque
c) Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo
d) Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko
3. In which phase of Cubism did artists use collage and mixed media to create more
abstract compositions?
a) Analytical Cubism
b) Synthetic Cubism
c) Early Cubism
d) Neo-Cubism
4. What event inspired Pablo Picasso to create the painting "Guernica"?
a) World War I
b) The Russian Revolution
c) The bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War
d) The French Revolution
5. Which colors dominate Picasso's painting "Guernica"?
a) Bright and vibrant colors
b) Red and blue
c) Black, white, and gray
d) Pastel colors
6. What does the lightbulb in Picasso's "Guernica" symbolize?
a) Peace and hope
b) Destruction and chaos
c) Surrealism
d) The passage of time
7. Where is Picasso's "Guernica" currently housed?
a) The Louvre Museum in Paris
b) The Museum of Modern Art in New York
c) The Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid
d) The Tate Modern in London
8. "Guernica" by Picasso is considered a powerful symbol of:
a) Celebration and joy
b) War and destruction
c) Romantic love
d) Abstract art
Activity 2
1. What are the key characteristics of Cubism in art?
2. Who were the two primary artists associated with the development of Cubism?
3. Explain the difference between Analytical Cubism and Synthetic Cubism.
4. What historical event inspired Pablo Picasso to create his famous painting "Guernica"?
5. Describe the dominant color palette used in Picasso's painting "Guernica."
6. What symbolic meaning is often associated with the lightbulb in "Guernica"?
7. In which museum is Picasso's "Guernica" currently housed?
8. What does "Guernica" by Picasso symbolize according to art historians and critics?
Activity 3
Find your favorite painting by each artist online and place it in “My Favorite Painting” box.
Artist My Favorite Painting
Picasso
Braque
Juan Gris
Fernand Léger
Robert Delaunay
Activity 4
Change the following picture into a cubist painting using your knowledge of the characteristics
of Cubism.
