Cubist Tattoos

Cubism is an early-20th-century avant-garde art movement that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture.

Cubism deconstructs a subject into kinetic, geometric abstractions with no single perspective point.

Cubism’s evolution can be divided chronologically (Early, High, and Late Cubism) or aesthetically (Analytic and Synthetic).

Analytic cubism appears during the earlier period, characterized by up-close representations from several perspectives simultaneously. By interweaving dimensional planes, the painter invites viewers to literally analyze the subject from multiple points of view.

Synthetic cubism appears in the high and later periods, distinguished by brighter colors and more grid-like construction. Synthetic cubism appears more collage-esque, mimicking a variety of textures as if the painting were a multi-media construction.

Pablo Picasso is largely considered the inventor of Cubism, inspiring the first generation of Analytic cubists with his early 20th century paintings. He also is credited with evolving the style into the Synthetic form, inspiring artists to simulate mixed media with paint.

Cubist tattooers sometimes adapt from Cubist masters, but more often keep the aesthetic traditions alive with their own voices and original works of art.