Cubism

Fragmented forms, overlapping planes, and multiple directional views assemble the frame.

Visual traits

• fragmented forms
• overlapping planes
• shallow space

Expected changes

• Forms are more likely to divide into planes
• Multiple directional views are more likely to overlap

Definition

Cubism is an early twentieth-century art movement that assembles fragmented planes or multiple views in one frame rather than representing an object from one viewpoint. It does not determine a particular artist, work, region, or later abstract practice.

In more detail

It constructs subjects through divided form, overlapping planes, shallow space, and multiple directions. The historical movement is distinct from later work that merely uses these visual tendencies.

Includes

• The early twentieth-century Cubist movement
• Visual tendencies using fragmented planes and multiple viewpoints

Excludes

• Imitation of a particular artist or work
• All abstract art
• Representing a culture or region

What this does not imply

• A particular artist
• work
• region
• or exact period recreation

Variability

It does not guarantee direct recreation of the historical movement; fragmentation and spatial shallowness can be adjusted.

Usage

• Show fragmented form and multiple views
• Do not specify an artist or work

Distinguish similar expressions

• Specify period and medium separately for historical reconstruction

Typical uses

• Construct a subject from multiple planes and viewpoints

Possible failure modes

• Result becomes merely abstract and plane relations are unreadable
• Output resembles a named work too closely