Georges Braque

Georges Braque was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker. Born on May 13th 1882 just outside Paris, he began studying art at the age of 18 at the École des Beaux-Arts and later at the Académie Humbert. Braque is best known for founding Cubism together with Pablo Picasso, an avant-garde movement that revolutionised art in the early 20th century with its fragmented and geometric forms.

Career and Cubism

In the beginning of his career Braque's work had a highly traditional style, painting landscapes and still lifes in an impressionistic and post-impressionistic manner. Around 1907, Braque, along with Picasso, began developing Cubism, a style that challenged conventional methods of representing space and form. The development of Cubism can be divided into two phases, "Analytic Cubism" and "Synthetic Cubism".
The first phase, "Analytic Cubism", is characterised by breaking down the subject into its geometric components, using a limited colour palette and focusing on analysing and deconstructing the subject. During this period, Braque created works such as "Violin and Candlestick" (1910), where he employed muted colours and complex, overlapping forms. The subsequent phase of development, "Synthetic Cubism", is marked by more vibrant colours and less abstract subjects, with Braque and Picasso beginning to use collage and stencils to add texture and detail to their work. The motives became more symbolic and less fragmented. An example of this type of painting is Braque's "Still Life with Fruit Dish" (1912).

The Collaboration with Picasso

Braque's collaboration with Picasso was intense during the development of Cubism, with the two frequently sharing ideas and techniques. Their relationship was both personal and professional, and the two artists had a profound impact on each other's work. In addition to Cubism, Braque also experimented with other styles, including Surrealism, and his work evolved over time to incorporate a more poetic and symbolic dimension.

Later Career and Legacy

After World War I, Braque continued to explore various art styles, including Surrealism and Fauvism, with his work becoming more restrained and introspective. During this period, he also developed a deeper interest in printmaking, creating numerous etchings and lithographs. Braque's contributions to art extended to his role as a respected teacher and mentor to younger artists. He had a long and successful career as a teacher, and his influence is evident in many aspects of modern art.
Georges Braque died on August 31st 1963 in Paris, although his works and his role in the development of Cubism continues to be a central part of art history. His experimentation with form and perspective has had a lasting impact on how artists approach visual representation and expression.