Abstract Art and Cubism

Introduction to Abstract Art and Cubism

• Abstract art emphasizes form and color over specific subjects, signaling a shift in 20th-century art.
• Abstract art focuses on the intrinsic qualities of forms and colors, diverging from previous art movements.
• Previous movements, like Expressionism and Romanticism, focused on inner feelings, imagination, and impressions, respectively unlike abstract.
• Abstract art's development began in the 20th century sparking new art movements.
• New movements include Cubism, Constructivism, Suprematism, and Futurism, which emerged after World War I.

What is Cubism?

• Cubism, also known as Ganvad, originated in France around 1906.
• Cubism is regarded as the originator of abstraction in the 20th century.
• Cubism's foundational elements of place and time are vital to understanding its impact and context.
• Paul Cézanne is considered a father of Cubism for his manipulation of forms and colors but Pablo Picasso and Braque are Cubism's initiators.
• Other artists associated with Cubism include John Gris.

Cubism Perspective

• Cubism seeks to convey an object’s completeness by superimposing views from multiple directions.
• Objects are analyzed from different viewpoints, capturing various perspectives simultaneously.
• Cubism translates multi-dimensional perspectives onto a two-dimensional surface by breaking down and recomposing forms.
• Cubism analyzes the geometrical forms of African sculptures, which inspired artists like Picasso.
• Cubist art is rooted in mathematical principles, using geometric foundations in illustrations.
• The Futurist artists later adopted Cubism, integrating it into their depictions of speed and dynamism.
• Cubism prioritizes rules and order in composition over mere decoration.

Development & Recognition of Cubism

• By 1908, the art world began to acknowledge Cubism as a legitimate art form.
• Cubism's introduction to the world followed the death of Paul Cézanne in 1906.
• Cubism's spread occurred after Cézanne’s death because his style was the foundation, but the movement was after his time.
• The manifesto of Cubism was written by Albert Gleizes and Jean Metzinger.
• Cubism as a name was coined by Louis Vauxcelles in 1908.

Early Cubism: 1906-1910

• Early Cubism, or the earlier period, was still undefined, before its widespread public recognition.
• A Cubist-style exhibition occurred in 1906 (or 1907 per later mention)
• Paul Cézanne paintings were featured in the exhibition
• Cézanne viewed nature through geometric forms/components such as cylinders and circles etc

Analytical Cubism: 1910-1912

• Analytical Cubism involves dissecting forms into geometric segments focusing on breaking images down.
• Also referred to as Rectilinear Cubism (use of straight lines).
• Analytical Cubism portrays everyday objects in geometric forms.
• The color palette during this period consisted mainly of grey and dull tones.
• "Girl with a Mandolin" exemplifies Analytical Cubism with fragmented perspectives and muted colors painted by Picasso.

Synthetic Cubism: 1912-1914

• Synthetic Cubism involves a tactile quality, incorporating pasted materials to create texture and dimensionality.
• It entails incorporating various materials like paper and cotton to create artwork this creating texture.
• It sought to convey a sense of texture and touch through the use of mixed media.
• An object's tangible presence is emphasized
• Picasso’s works from this period included papers, texts, and various other elements.

Analytical vs Synthetic Cubism

• Analytical Cubism breaks down an object into fragments and reassembles them.
• Synthetic Cubism involves creating new elements, textures, and shapes from the ground up.

Decorative Cubism

• Decorative Cubism, or Figurative Cubism, became popular towards the end of Cubism as a movement.

Key Cubist Artists: Fernand Léger

• Fernand Léger was born in Normandy, France.
• Léger was an Architect.
• Léger participated in the Cubist exhibition of 1910.
• Léger's artwork often showed the influence of machinery due to his interest in machine parts and he was referred to as tubist.
• "Nude in the Forest," created in 1910 by Léger, presents nude figures in the style of a forest.
• Léger’s "Contrast of Forms," created in 1913, showcases contrasting geometric elements.
• Léger's "Railway Crossing," and "City" demonstrate geometric abstraction.
• Léger created the film "The Dance of the Machines," a black and white film depicting machine dance.
• "Ballet mécanique" (mechanical ballet) refers to a film in general not necessarily Léger's specific film.

Juan Gris

• Juan Gris moved to Paris in 1906 and befriended Pablo Picasso.
• When in Paris, Juan Gris also became friends with masters such as Modigliani, Matisse, and Léger, among others.
• Gris explored Analytical Cubism in 1911.
• Gris paintings are intellectually based, applying architecture and math.
• Gris artworks are more angular with more pointed shapes and called a "mathematical artist"
• Gris is considered to be the "intellectual theorist".
• Gris used heavy dark lines.
• "Portrait of Picasso" is made by Gris.
• "Painter and a Board" was made by Gris.
• "Table at the Cafe", created in 1912 by Gris, presents the elements from a cafe.

Robert Delaunay and Orphism

• Robert Delaunay combined Cubism with bright colors of Fauvism, originating Orphism.
• Delaunays primary focus was on optical attributes and pure abstraction.
• Orphism features bright colors.
• The term Orphism was coined by Guillaume Apollinaire, in 1912.
• Delaunay sought dynamism.
• Delaunay's "Simultaneous Windows" demonstrates Orphism via the use of color.
• Delaunay created the "Circular Forms" series, and the series of works depicting the Eiffel tower.

Umberto Boccioni and Futurism

• Umberto Boccioni combined Cubism with dynamism and movement on a flat surface.
• Boccioni added motion using small shapes.
• Boccioni's work led to Futurism.
• Boccioni's "The Girl at the Piano" merges Cubism with dynamism.
• Futurism contains both Cubism and dynamism.