Modernism

Cubism is said to have its breakthrough with Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d' Avignon( pictured: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Les_Demoiselles_d%27Avignon.jpg ), in which several Parisian prostitutes are seen from different perspectives. Their faces seem to be devolving from left to right, getting darker and darker. The influence of African and Oceanic tribal masks are apparent; as we see in the woman inthe bottom right, who is also seen simultaneously from the front and the back. Even though this work is not quite as geometrically– inclined as some earlier cubist works, (Violin and Candlestick, 1910; pictured: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Violin_and_Candlestick.jpg ); the women in Avignon are displayed rather hard-edged nonetheless.