Cubism

Cubism, a transformative movement birthed in the early 20th century, revolutionized not only painting but also profoundly influenced the applied and decorative arts. In seeking to deconstruct objects into their primary geometric forms and reassemble them in abstracted yet recognizable compositions, Cubist principles ventured beyond canvases and into furniture, textiles, and ceramics. Designers embraced the fragmentation and diversity of perspectives, manifesting in bold, angular forms and juxtaposing disparate patterns and textures in physical objects. This avant-garde vocabulary of shapes translated into Cubist-inspired artifacts that challenged traditional aesthetics, urging a rethinking of design and function and infusing everyday objects with the dynamism and complexity of modern art.

Abstract art featured image for blog post

1937 exhibition at MoMA revisits cubism and abstract art, showcasing their impact on modern artistic expression, bridging tradition and innovation.Read More →

Making Modernism: Picasso and the Creation of the Market for Twentieth-Century Art

“Making Modernism: Picasso and the Creation of the Market for Twentieth-Century Art” explores Picasso’s journey to fame, revealing his artistry’s intersection with entrepreneurship.Read More →

Sea shore in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes, France. Behind the trees, the villa E-1027.

Jean Badovici, influential in modern architecture and design criticism, led L’Architecture Vivante, collaborated with Eileen Gray, and shaped French post-war architecture.Read More →

Display of early Art Deco furnishings by the Atelier français at the 1913 Salon d'Automne from Art et décoration magazine (1914)

Art Deco, a 1920s-1930s design movement, fuses modernity, elegance, and diverse cultural influences, departing from tradition to embrace luxury and functionality.Read More →

Picasso Design Influence

Pablo Picasso’s influence on design is profound, inspiring boundary-pushing, geometrical simplicity, cross-disciplinary approaches, emotional depth, and timeless relevance for designers.Read More →

František Zelenka Terezín 1944 theatre props

František Zelenka, a Czech architect and designer, made significant contributions to theater design in Prague, blending cubism and constructivism before his tragic death in Auschwitz.Read More →

Cubism: Colour Library

Cubism was one of the most important art styles in the West this century. It started when Picasso and Braque tried new ideas in ParisRead More →

Chair in Czech cubist style

the beginning of the 20th century. Czech Cubism embraced architecture, design and decorative arts and flourished most prolifically in the years immediately preceding and following the outbreak of the First World War.Read More →

Winold Reiss Interior

Winold Reiss, a German artist and designer, created unique portraiture blending cubism, fauvism, and ethnography, and contributed to the Harlem Renaissance and American interior design.Read More →

Le Corbusier black and white image

Le Corbusier, a Swiss architect, designer, and theorist, played a pivotal role in 20th-century architecture through influential writings, modern furniture design, and iconic architectural projects.Read More →