You, too, can..... Paint Like Picasso!

•    Picasso who, along with Braque, is credited with creating the widely influential art movement cubism was himself influenced by a number of things. First one must consider the climate of early 20^th century Europe. This was a time when many artists were turning away from conventional painting and were striving to produce more innovative unique works.

•    This trend towards innovation, was important to the beginning of cubism for two reasons: 

  • first, unlike prior periods in art history, new and different styles were appreciated, at least to a greater extent, and were potentially emulated- this helped to make innovation a goal for some artists; and 

  • second, the trend helped to produce a wide variety of movements, such as:

    •  Fauvism in France and 

    • Futurism in Italy. 

• From these movements particular elements or ideas could be taken, or used as springboards for new ideas. Of the innovative artists at the turn of the century, Cezanne was by far Picasso’s largest influence. Cezanne’s influence is noticeable in many of Picasso’s works and his theories greatly influenced Picasso’s development of cubism.