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Cubism was a movement that began in 1907, introduced by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque; inspired by African sculpture, it evolved into three different stages.

The first is called 'Facet Cubism'. In the beginning the artists used a riot of colors and, as were the later stages, characterized by a lack of depth; although the three-dimensional state was suggested by the use of geometric shapes that stood out from the general two-dimensional theme. It later evolved to a simplified version in which a limited palette of colors were used, and texture and symmetry softened the flatness of the paintings. These were of a gentler tone, easier on the eyes.

The second stage was christened 'Analytical Cubism. As the movement progressed, it took the initial concepts one step further; not only was the subject matter hard to discern, but the objects were portrayed from different angles at the same time. You might see a face, a building, or a still-life, but the sides were also displayed, so as to give it an almost one-dimensional quality - magnified by the use of flat, hard-edged squares and angles that defied the concept of reality.

The third stage used a variety of mediums; what was called a 'collage' was used. Pictures of ordinary, mundane objects were cut out and thrown against the canvas in a seemingly random display, with extreme use of the Analytical Cubism splayed across the top of the random collages. There was no obvious rhyme or reason used in the use of color or form; and soon after, the artists abandoned this form of art, most likely because there were no more extremes in which to take it.

This art form was not only relegated to paintings, there are cubist sculptures and drawings. As with all forms of art, Cubism was finally replaced by other movements in the ever-changing chameleon that is the art world.

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