Term Cubism Is First Used
Cubism is an influential art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its use of abstract geometric forms to depict people and objects. The term "cubism" was first introduced by critic Charles Morice in an article published in the Parisian magazine Mercure de France in April 1909. Key figures in the development of this style include Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who are often regarded as the movement's founders. Their groundbreaking works, such as Picasso's *Les Demoiselles d'Avignon* and Braque's *Maisons à L'Estaque*, established the foundational principles of cubism, which often involved representing multiple viewpoints within a single composition. As the movement progressed, artists like Albert Gleizes and Jean Metzinger further expanded upon these ideas through the formation of the Section d'Or organization, promoting cubist art and exhibitions. While the popularity of cubism waned in the 1920s with the rise of surrealism, its legacy permeated various fields, influencing not just painting, but also architecture and sculpture throughout the 20th century. Cubism's emphasis on abstraction and geometric design continues to resonate in contemporary art practices.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Term Cubism Is First Used
Term Cubism Is First Used
Cubism is the term used to describe a style of art that arose in the first years of the 20th century. The word was coined by Charles Morice in an article published in the Parisian magazine Mercure de France on April 16, 1909. At its essence, cubism is characterized by the use of abstract geometric forms to portray people and objects, which may be simplified or fragmented by this treatment. It is a highly analytical style; some paintings even incorporate multiple points of view, showing different sides of the same subject.
By the late 19th century, many artists were looking for new ways to express themselves on canvas. Paul Cézanne, one of the pillars of the impressionist movement, was experimenting with increasingly simplified forms before he died in 1906. The French artist Georges Braque and the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, however, are most commonly credited with being the fathers of cubism. Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907) and Braque's Maisons à L'Estaque (1908) are seminal works in this regard. Their efforts inspired other artists, notably French painters Albert Gleizes and Jean Metzinger, who formed an organization called Section d'Or (“golden section”) to encourage aspiring cubists and arrange for exhibitions. Many of these new artists went beyond Picasso's and Braque's work, taking an increasingly abstract direction and concentrating on almost pure geometric forms. These artists include Piet Mondrian, a Dutch painter whose particular school of geometric abstraction was known as De Stijl, and the French painter Fernand Léger.
In the 1920s interest in cubism began to fade, as new schools such as surrealism arose. However, cubism had a lasting impact not only on painting but also on 20th-century architecture and sculpture.