The Art of America Homeschool Unit Study: The Early Twentieth Century – Cubism

The Early Twentieth Century, part 1

Throughout the twentieth century, many American artists continued to work in the Impressionist style. The American Impressionists’ focus on familiar subjects and rapid technique left an indelible mark on American painting. Their works bear witness to their creators’ experiences abroad and at home, and offer tantalizing reflections of a dynamic period as well as fascinating records of color and light.

As we grew as a nation and worked to overcome the tragedies of two world wars and the great depression, however, artists began to experiment with style and technique more intensely than ever before. Distinctive styles began to emerge including Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and Installation Art amongst many others. I will touch on each of these in my final installments for the Art of America Homeschool Unit Study.  

Cubism (originating between 1907 – 1914)

Cubism was one of the most influential visual art styles of the early twentieth century. It was created by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in Paris between 1907 and 1914.

Cubist painters rejected the inherited concept that art should copy nature. They wanted instead to emphasize the two-dimensionality of the canvas. They thereby reduced and fractured objects into geometric forms, and then realigned these within a shallow, relief-like space. They also used multiple or contrasting vantage points.

Landscapes were rarely a subject of Cubism. Instead, their favorite motifs were still lifes with musical instruments, bottles, pitchers, glasses, newspapers, playing cards, and the human face and figure.

The Cellist by artist Max Weber [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Sails (1911-12) by Arthur Dove [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Stilleben, Öl auf Leinwand, by Patrick Henry Bruce photographed by Mbdortmund [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Feeling Inspired?

Once students have gained an understanding and awareness for Cubism, encourage students to create a mixed media composition showing multiple views of various objects. Here are a few lesson plans to get you started:

Cubism Mixed Media Collage

Pablo Picasso Lessons

Finding Polygons in Cubist Art (provided by the Art Institute of Chicago)

Cubist Superheroes

The Art of America Homeschool Unit Studies

This post is part of a 10-post series, providing an overview of the history of American art from Pre-Colonial times to today, including multiple art forms:

• handcrafts
• painting
• sculpture
• lithographs
• wood carvings
• editorial cartoons
• photographs

Moving chronologically through All American History curriculum, each post summarizes the art trends and movements popular during the period and features one or two artists from that time period. Plus I will provide a related art lesson or project that you can enjoy with your students.

1. First Nations People
2. Colonial Art
3. The Hudson River School
4. The Civil War & Reconstruction
5. The Gilded Age & American Impressionism
6. The Early Twentieth Century – Cubism (this post)