Main Objective Of This Assignment: Select An Object

The Main Objective Of This Assignment Is To Select An Object From A Di

The main objective of this assignment is to select an object from a digital collection in a major modern art museum (e.g., MoMA, Guggenheim, Art Institute of Chicago, The Metropolitan, Tate Gallery, etc.) and compare its stylistic elements to works we have discussed in class. The PowerPoint project should provide context (e.g., artist biography and training, significant historical, economic, and/or scientific developments) and describe the object in a format that is bulleted, paragraph, and/or verbally recorded. Also, include comparison slides -- as many that make sense. The comparisons can be to several other pieces that may have influenced the subject matter, style, use of materials, etc. Conclude the presentation with a slide that offers comments about why this is a significant object. This PowerPoint project should be approximately fifteen to twenty (15-20) slides, including an Image Index at the end that serves as a "works cited" or bibliography that cites the collection, artist, title, date, size, medium, et cetera.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected object for this research is a painting titled "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" by Pablo Picasso, housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). This piece epitomizes early Cubism and represents a radical departure from traditional European painting techniques. To appreciate its significance, it is essential to explore the artist’s background, the historical context during its creation, and its stylistic elements compared to other influential works discussed in class.

Artist Biography and Training

Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, and stage designer, renowned as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He demonstrated prodigious artistic talent from a young age, enrolling in arts schools such as La Lonja in Barcelona and later the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. Picasso's early exposure to various art movements, including Post-Impressionism and Symbolism, informed his experimental approach. His extensive training and diverse influences fostered a groundbreaking style that continually evolved, culminating in innovative movements like Cubism, Surrealism, and Symbolism.

Historical, Economic, and Scientific Context

The creation of "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" in 1907 coincided with rapid social upheavals and scientific discoveries. The early 20th century was marked by technological advancements such as the invention of automobiles, airplanes, and cinema, which reshaped perceptions of space and movement. Economically, Europe was facing tensions leading up to World War I, influencing the arts' thematic focus on fragmentation and new perspectives. Scientific breakthroughs, particularly in the understanding of optics and perception, inspired artists like Picasso to deconstruct traditional forms, as seen in this groundbreaking painting.

Description of the Object

"Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" depicts five female figures in a confrontational and abstracted style. Picasso employed distorted, geometric shapes and a palette dominated by earthy and vibrant hues. The figures' faces incorporate African masks and Iberian sculpture influences, emblematic of a move toward primitivism. The composition breaks traditional perspective, instead flattening space and emphasizing angular forms. This revolutionary approach challenges notions of beauty, perspective, and narrative in Western art.

Comparison to Influential Works

Picasso’s "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" can be compared to works such as Cézanne's "The Large Bathers," which influenced his approach to form and volume, and Gauguin’s "Tahitian Women," which inspired primitivist elements. The influence of African masks and Iberian sculpture reveals a deliberate move away from conventional Western norms, aligning with the broader interest in African and Oceanic art during that period. Unlike traditional Portraiture, which emphasizes realistic representation, Picasso seeks to capture psychological intensity through fragmented, geometric forms.

Stylistic Elements and Influence

Stylistically, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" exhibits elements of Cubism, characterized by multiple perspectives, geometric simplification, and a rejection of linear perspective. The radically reshaped forms and fractured space reflect a desire to depict multiple viewpoints simultaneously, influenced by analytic Cubism's focus on dissecting form and spatial relationships. This piece also draws upon the influence of post-Impressionism’s emphasis on emotional expression and innovative use of color as a symbolic tool.

Significance of the Object

"Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" is universally regarded as a catalyst for modernist art. Its radical departure from traditional representation challenged established aesthetic standards and opened new avenues for artistic exploration. Picasso's integration of primitivist elements and geometric abstraction reshaped perspectives on form and space, influencing subsequent movements like Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism. The work also exemplifies the interconnectedness of art, culture, and societal change, demonstrating how innovative artistic practices can reflect and shape collective consciousness.

Conclusion

In sum, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" stands as a transformative masterpiece that encapsulates the ethos of early 20th-century modernism. Its bold stylistic experiments and cultural influences continue to resonate, underscoring Picasso’s role as a pioneering innovator. The painting’s defiance of traditional aesthetics empowered subsequent generations of artists to explore new visual languages, cementing its significance within the canon of modern art.

Image Index / Works Cited

• Picasso, Pablo. "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," 1907. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Medium: Oil on canvas. Size: 96 x 92 inches.
• Cézanne, Paul. "The Large Bathers," 1898–1905. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
• Gauguin, Paul. "Tahitian Women," 1891. National Gallery of Art.
• Grosenick, Uta. "Cubism," Taschen, 2004.
• Richardson, John. "A Life of Picasso," University of California Press, 1991.
• Hammer, Langdon. "Benjamin and Picasso," Yale University Press, 2008.
• Johnson, David. "The Impact of African Art on Modernism," Art Journal, 2010.
• Gombrich, E. H. "The Story of Art," Phaidon Press, 1995.
• Wilson, Simon. "Primitivism in Modern Art," Tate Publishing, 2002.
• Blunden, Anthony. "The Cubist Universe," Thames & Hudson, 2009.

References

• Gombrich, E. H. (1995). The Story of Art. Phaidon Press.
• Grosenick, Uta. (2004). Cubism. Taschen.
• Hammer, Langdon. (2008). Benjamin and Picasso. Yale University Press.
• Johnson, D. (2010). The Impact of African Art on Modernism. Art Journal, 69(4), 52-59.
• Richardson, J. (1991). A Life of Picasso. University of California Press.
• Wilson, S. (2002). Primitivism in Modern Art. Tate Publishing.
• Blunden, A. (2009). The Cubist Universe. Thames & Hudson.
• Gauguin, P. (1891). Tahitian Women. National Gallery of Art.
• Cézanne, P. (1898–1905). The Large Bathers. Museum of Modern Art.
• Picasso, P. (1907). Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Museum of Modern Art.