What is Cubism?

This painting by the artist Pablo Picasso is an example of a portrait made in the cubist style.

Cubist art shows objects or people from many angles at the same time. It makes the subject look as if it is broken up or sometimes made from cubes.

Pablo Picasso and the artist George Braque invented Cubism as a new form of art.

Picasso created one of the earliest cubist paintings in 1907.

Picasso and Braque were inspired by art from around the world such as African and Japanese art.

These paintings are all examples of portraits made in the cubist style. Notice the different shapes and lines in them. Some are regular shapes and some are irregular shapes.

Make your own cubist portrait or self-portrait using different angles, lines and shapes.

This cubist portrait by Picasso was made into a Spanish stamp. It shows both the side and the front of the face simultaneously.

• Some artists used collage techniques to make cubist art.

• A lot of people did not like cubist art when it first appeared, they thought it was confusing.

• Some architects were influenced by Cubism.

• Cubist artists were also influenced by cave art.