What was a defining characteristic of Cubism?

The defining characteristic of Cubism is the simultaneous presentation of multiple viewpoints. This artistic movement, which emerged in the early 20th century, was pioneered by artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. They sought to break away from traditional perspectives used in art, which typically depicted a single viewpoint. Instead, Cubism aimed to represent subjects from various angles within a single composition. This resulted in fragmented forms and overlapping planes that allowed viewers to see multiple aspects of an object or scene simultaneously. This approach not only altered how objects were portrayed but also reflected a deeper exploration of perception, reality, and the nature of vision itself, making it a revolutionary movement in the art world.

Vibrant colors, emotional expression, and monochrome palettes are elements found in various styles of art, but they do not capture the essence of Cubism as effectively as the concept of presenting multiple viewpoints. Cubism’s focus lies primarily in its geometric forms and structural complexity, rather than on color alone or emotional depth in expression.