Three Musicians
Pablo Picasso - 1921
Picasso's Three Musicians is a perfect example of the effect art had on the world during the Age of Anxiety. Cubism was a way to revolt against the conventional artistic standards of the art world, and therefore revolt against all other things conventional in our world at the time. Although I am far from being an expert on Cubism, or any other form of art for that matter, the few bits of information I do know have led me to believe that this was a very important movement for European culture during the Age of Anxiety.
There are two main types of Cubism: Analytic and Synthetic. Three Musicians is technically an example of analytic cubism, but incorporates a great deal of Synthetic cubism as well. Analytic cubism uses actual objects as subjects, but is generally limited to gray shades. Synthetic cubism however makes use of bright, bold colors, but is non-objective (has no distinguishable characters or subjects). Thus, it is apparent that Picasso melds the two types of cubism in Three Musicians, creating a sort of hybrid piece of art. I suppose you can do that if you're Picasso.
Much like Picasso broke the rules of cubism, Cubism itself broke the rules of the art world, making a statement to the world. Because it breaks scenery up into geometric structures rather than abiding by the natural, realism rules, Cubism, and it's relative Dadaism, were able to change the way art is perceived even today. It made a political statement, and fit in nicely with the disillusionment felt at the time. These feelings were made even stronger with the help of the literature of the age, thanks to men like Kafka and Eliot. This painting in particular shows exactly the type of nonconformity that artists and citizens alike were attempting to achieve. The bright, contrasting colors are a far stretch from the classically subtle color changes characteristic of realism, while the bold lines separating the shapes and colors provide an almost puzzle-like quality to the painting.
By rebelling in their art, artists like Picasso were able to rebel against society as well, creating a new movement in Europe and all around the world.
Much like Picasso broke the rules of cubism, Cubism itself broke the rules of the art world, making a statement to the world. Because it breaks scenery up into geometric structures rather than abiding by the natural, realism rules, Cubism, and it's relative Dadaism, were able to change the way art is perceived even today. It made a political statement, and fit in nicely with the disillusionment felt at the time. These feelings were made even stronger with the help of the literature of the age, thanks to men like Kafka and Eliot. This painting in particular shows exactly the type of nonconformity that artists and citizens alike were attempting to achieve. The bright, contrasting colors are a far stretch from the classically subtle color changes characteristic of realism, while the bold lines separating the shapes and colors provide an almost puzzle-like quality to the painting.
By rebelling in their art, artists like Picasso were able to rebel against society as well, creating a new movement in Europe and all around the world.
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