Cubism was prefigured by the work of Paul Cezanne.
Cubism was one of the major art movements of the 20th century. Studying Cubism not only informs art students the background of and developments that led to Cubism, it also teaches them about the structure of objects --- an important step in developing an artist's eye. Activities to learn about Cubism can speak to the history of the movement as well as the techniques used in its application.
History of Cubism
The artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque developed the style of Cubism in the early decades of the 20th century; they worked to further the ideas of artist Paul Cezanne, who understood that most objects in nature could be broken down into their most basic geometric essentials. Cubism took this a step further using methods such as painting many perspectives in one picture, playing with the techniques of foreshortening and fragmenting objects into geometric parts. Students of art can learn about these and other facets of Cubism by researching the period, its art and proponents; for example, they can explore the differences between analytical and synthetic Cubism, or they might look more closely at the life and work of Cezanne.
Recreate a Cubist Painting
As students study the history of art, they are often encouraged to recreate the works of artists they admire; examples of Cubist art by both Braque and Picasso can serve as models for this activity. The way the instructor incorporates lessons in this style of art will depend on the skill level of the students. Beginning students may need to use an overhead projector to draw in the basic parts of the painting being studied before beginning to paint; more advanced students may draw the piece freehand before starting their painting work. The most advanced students can be tasked with taking lessons learned from such exercises and creating an original Cubist-style painting with new subject matter.
Field Trip
Part of learning about art history is the privilege of seeing famous works up close. A field trip to a museum that houses such works gives both visual art and art history students a better understanding of how Cubist artists worked. If your local museum doesn't carry work by Cubist artists, a field trip to a larger museum might be possible. Some university programs, for example, offer tours abroad and touch on the intellectual history of the area they're visiting; a trip to Spain or France brings students face to face with the lands, architecture and history that influenced Cubism as well as giving them access to museums like the Louvre.
Applications of Cubism
The effects of Cubism were far-reaching, and the influence of Cubism was felt outside the world of art. For example, military designers during World War I used the geometric modeling techniques of Cubism to create better camouflage patterns for their tanks. Using the lessons learned from studying Cubism, students can be asked to apply Cubist principles to design a practical object.
