Georges Braque: Between Cubism and Innovation

Georges Braque died on August 31, 1963, in Paris, France, at the age of 81. He had a prolific career spanning almost six decades and remains one of the most significant figures in the development of Cubism and early Modern art. His work continues to inspire artists, art historians, and enthusiasts around the world, and his legacy is assured as one of the most important artists of the 20th century.

Throughout his life, Braque maintained a deep connection with his early inspirations. He was influenced by the works of Paul Cézanne and referenced his still lifes and landscapes in many of his own compositions. Georges Braque is known to be a highly influential figure in the Salon des Indépendants, a Parisian exhibition that showcased the pieces of independent masters, free from the constraints of official salon guidelines. He was a regular exhibitor from 1904 to 1910, and the exhibition played a vital role in promoting the art of avant-garde masters at the turn of the 20th century.

Throughout his life, he was surrounded by a circle of influential friends and supporters. This included art dealers like Ambroise Vollard and Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, as well as fellow painters like Pablo Picasso, with whom he shared a long and productive artistic partnership. These relationships were crucial to Braque's success, providing Georges Braque is universally acknowledged as one of the founding fathers of Cubism, a movement that revolutionized painting and sculpture in the 20th century. His creative journey was marked by intense formal and technical experimentation, aimed at deconstructing visual reality to analyze and represent its various aspects simultaneously.

While Braque was indeed significantly influenced by African art in the development of Cubism, the primary collector of African and Oceanic art among the Cubists was Pablo Picasso. Picasso's exposure to African art, particularly masks and sculptures, played a crucial role in the stylistic development of both artists. Braque was inspired by the same elements and incorporated these influences into his work, especially in terms of geometric forms and abstract representation.

It may be interesting to add something about Braque's political stance: during World War II, Georges Braque remained in Paris under German occupation, unlike some of his contemporaries who fled or joined resistance movements.

From Light to Geometry - The Evolution of a Cubist Master

The master was born in 1882 in Argenteuil-sur-Seine, France, into a family deeply ingrained in the artisan tradition. His father and grandfather were both painters-decorators, a vocation that initially guided Braque towards decorative arts. However, his creative aspirations soon led him to broader artistic pursuits.

Georges began his formal training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Le Havre, where he initially studied under a regimen that emphasized classical techniques. In these years, his style was heavily influenced by the Impressionist movement, which was still in full flourish in France. He particularly admired the pieces of Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, whose handling of light and color significantly impacted his landscapes.

In 1900, seeking greater exposure to the burgeoning art scene, Georges moved to Paris. This relocation was pivotal; Paris was the epicenter of the avant-garde, and the young master was quickly drawn into its dynamic cultural life. Here, Braque's exposure to the artworks of Henri Matisse and the Fauves at the 1905 Salon d'Automne was transformative. He adopted the Fauves' bold use of color and expressive brushwork, which began to surface in his own creations, leading to his brief Fauvist phase.

The most critical juncture in Braque's artistic development came in 1907, following his encounter with Pablo Picasso. The two formed a friendship that was as competitive as it was collaborative, driving each other towards further innovation. Picasso had just completed his groundbreaking creation "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," which profoundly influenced Braque. Motivated by Picasso’s strides in breaking traditional perspectives, Braque began experimenting with form and perspective, setting the stage for the birth of Cubism.

Between 1908 and 1912, Goerges, together with Picasso, developed this latter movement, a revolutionary style that abandoned traditional perspective and representation. They deconstructed objects into geometric forms and interlocking planes, presenting multiple viewpoints simultaneously, which was a radical departure from conventional European art. This period of intense collaboration resulted in some of the most innovative and influential masterpieces of the 20th century, marking Braque not just as a follower of trends but as a leading pioneer in art. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 brought an abrupt pause to this phase, as Braque enlisted in the French Army, an experience that would later influence his direction.

A Journey Through Form and Space

The master, alongside Pablo Picasso, played a pivotal role in developing of the aforementioned movement, revolutionizing early 20th-century art. From 1908 to 1912, they pioneered a style marked by innovative approaches to structure, form, and perspective.

Georges’s style involved deconstructing figures into geometric shapes, using a muted, often monochromatic palette to emphasize volume. His subjects included everyday objects, still lifes, musical instruments, and fragmented landscapes, reconstructed to engage the viewer in an active, searching gaze.

Braque also innovated the "papier collé" technique, adding depth and texture by pasting paper cut-outs onto the canvas. This method blurred the lines between painted and physical area, enhancing the abstract quality of his vision.

Throughout this period, Goerges challenged conventional pictorial view, inviting users to mentally reassemble fragmented scenes. His masterpieces not only revolutionized visual art but also posed philosophical challenges, making him a key figure in the continued evolution of art.

Masterpieces: Icons of Cubism

Here are some of Braque's most notable creations that exemplify his groundbreaking approach to the movement:

• Violin and Candlestick (1910)

  • A quintessential example of Braque's Analytical Cubism, this piece deconstructs the violin and candlestick into fragmented geometric shapes.

• Houses at L’Estaque (1908)

  • An early Cubist creation depicting the landscape of L’Estaque with simplified, geometric forms, reflecting the influence of Cézanne.

• The Portuguese (1911)

  • An iconic Cubist piece featuring a fragmented depiction of a Portuguese musician, highlighting Braque's interest in multiple perspectives and abstract forms.

• Man with a Guitar (1911)

  • Another key creation of Analytical Cubism, this masterpiece deconstructs the figure of a man playing a guitar into intersecting planes and forms.

• Bottle and Fishes (1912)

  • An example of Braque's Synthetic Cubism, this canvas combines collage elements with traditional painting techniques, creating a complex composition.

• Woman with a Guitar (1913)

  • This piece exemplifies Synthetic Cubism, merging different textures and materials to depict a woman with a guitar in a fragmented style.

• Fruit Dish and Glass (1912)

  • A still life that incorporates collage elements, representing everyday objects through a combination of paint and paper.

• Still Life with Metronome (1909)

  • A Cubist still life featuring musical instruments and everyday objects, deconstructed into geometric shapes and muted colors.

• Clarinet and Bottle of Rum on a Mantelpiece (1911)

  • This painting demonstrates Braque's skill in integrating everyday objects into Cubist compositions, focusing on the interplay of shapes and textures.

• The Studio (1949)

  • A later creation reflecting Braque's continued interest in still life and studio interiors, combining naturalistic elements with abstract forms.

Some Masterpieces

HERA (1988) Printmaking by Georges Braque

Analysis of Georges Braque's "HERA" (1988)

ACHELOOS (1988) Printmaking by Georges Braque

Analysis of Georges Braque's "ACHELOOS" (1988)

The piece "ACHELOOS" is also part of the aforementioned series of 12 color lithographs, "Les Métamorphoses de Braque".

The figure is depicted with a blend of organic and geometric forms, characterized by fluid and curved lines suggesting water and movement, alongside more structured and angular shapes.

In "ACHELOOS", the french master's characteristic approach to form and texture is evident. The use of a limited color palette, primarily gold and white on a black background, emphasizes the play of light and shadow, giving the figure a sculptural quality. This reduction in color focuses the viewer's attention on the forms and their spatial relationships, a hallmark of Georges's later masterpieces.

The creation of "ACHELOOS" in 1988, although published posthumously by Armand & Georges Israel, reflects a period of renewed interest in Braque's contributions to art. By the late 20th century, the painter's techniques and innovations were widely celebrated, and there was a strong market for his masterpieces.

The traditional lithographic process used to create "ACHELOOS" aligns with Georges' interest in craftsmanship and materiality. Each color in the lithograph was applied through a separate printing cycle, highlighting the meticulous and labor-intensive nature of the process, which is consistent with artist's dedication to quality and detail in his works.

The title "ACHELOOS" refers to the Greek river god, symbolizing water, transformation, and fluidity. This mythological reference aligns with painter's fascination with classical themes and his tendency to imbue his creativity with deeper symbolic meanings.

PHOENIX (1988) Printmaking by Georges Braque

Analysis of Georges Braque's "PHOENIX" (1988)

"PHOENIX," a color lithograph is also part of the series of 12 lithographs titled "Les Métamorphoses de Braque," published posthumously in 1988 by Armand & Georges Israel.

The central image of "PHOENIX" depicts an abstract representation of the mythical bird Phoenix. The figure is rendered in vibrant colors, primarily gold with accents of pink, blue, and red. The Phoenix is adorned with intricate patterns and set against a dark background, creating a striking contrast that enhances its visual impact. The bird's crest, depicted in white and outlined in gold, adds a sense of movement and elegance to the composition.

In "PHOENIX," the master's mature style is evident. The use of bright and contrasting colors and bold outlines reflects his ongoing interest in the interaction between form and color. The "abstract" representation of the Phoenix, with its sculpted body and stylized crest, showcases his ability to blend geometric abstraction with organic forms. This piece illustrates his passion for mythological themes and his skill in creating visually dynamic compositions.

The Phoenix is a mythical bird symbolizing rebirth, immortality, and renewal. This theme aligns with Georges' interest in classical mythology and his tendency to imbue his pieces with deeper symbolic meanings. The vibrant and abstract representation of the Phoenix in this lithograph suggests themes of transformation and eternal life, resonating with the idea of art as a timeless and enduring form of expression.

A Stalwart in Exhibitions and the Art Market

Georges Braque has maintained a significant presence in the art world both during his life and posthumously. His first solo exhibition in Paris in 1908 marked the beginning of a notable career that helped establish Cubism as a major artistic movement. His artworks, frequently exhibited alongside Picasso’s in pivotal Parisian salons, played a crucial role in shaping  art. After his death in 1963, Braque’s legacy continued to grow, with his pieces becoming mainstays in major museums like the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Louvre in Paris. His masterpieces consistently fetch high prices at auctions, reflecting his esteemed status among collectors. Georges's innovative techniques have inspired extensive scholarly research, further cementing his influence. His enduring legacy is underscored by continuous recognition in exhibitions and strong performance in the art market, solidifying his role as a pioneer of Cubism and a master of art.

Shaping Generations of Artists

Georges Braque's pioneering vision in Cubism has not only reshaped the landscape of art but also left a profound impact on numerous artists across generations. His innovative approaches to perspective, form, and color have inspired a wide range of artists who have either adopted or adapted them.

Juan Gris is perhaps one of the most direct beneficiaries of Braque's innovations. Gris’s art took the Georges's techniques and pushed it towards a greater structural complexity and color vibrancy. His paintings, often more calculated and designed than those of his predecessor, show the clear influence of Braque’s methodical approach to vision.

Fernand Léger is another artist deeply influenced by Georges’s exploration of form and space. Léger’s version of the Picasso's movement, sometimes referred to as "Tubism" because of its emphasis on cylindrical forms, diverged from Braque’s by incorporating more curvilinear and machine-like aesthetics. However, the roots of dissecting objects into geometric forms, as pioneered by Georges, are evident in Léger's work.

Beyond Gris and Léger, Braque's influence permeated throughout much of 20th-century art. His techniques and stylistic explorations can be seen in the pieces of American artists like Stuart Davis and British artists like Ben Nicholson, who integrated specific elements into their distinctly regional styles. These artists, and others like them, adapted the fragmented perspectives and abstracted forms typical of Georges’s work to explore new themes and contexts, such as urban landscapes and commercial culture.

Contemporary artists also continue to draw on Braque’s legacy. His principles are evident in the masterpieces of artists who explore the fragmentation of digital and multimedia environments. Georges's emphasis on breaking down forms and reconstructing them in a new order resonates with digital artists who dismantle and reassemble digital images to question reality and perception in the digital age.

Braque’s influence thus extends far beyond his original works. It is a testament to his visionary approach that artists across different periods and diverse media continue to draw inspiration from his experiments and techniques. His ability to reinterpret the world through geometric simplification and multiple perspectives has left an indelible mark on the art world, shaping the evolution of artistic expression well into the 21st century.

Braque's lasting impact demonstrates the enduring power of his artistic vision, as each new generation of artists finds fresh relevance in his approaches to seeing and representing the world around them. His legacy continues to inspire, challenge, and push the boundaries of artistic creativity.

Lesser-Known Facts