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Synthetic Cubism was the second major phase of the Cubist movement, following Analytical Cubism. It emerged around 1912 and represented a significant departure from the earlier analytical approach.
While Analytical Cubism focused on breaking down objects into their basic geometric forms and analyzing them from multiple viewpoints, Synthetic Cubism shifted towards a more synthetic approach. Instead of analyzing existing forms, artists began to synthesize or “synthesize” elements from the real world into their compositions.
One of the defining features of Synthetic Cubism was the widespread use of collage and mixed media techniques. Artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque began incorporating real-world materials such as newspaper clippings, sheet music, fabric, and other found objects into their paintings and sculptures. This incorporation of collage elements allowed artists to expand their visual vocabulary and create visually rich and textured compositions.
Synthetic Cubist compositions often featured flat, two-dimensional surfaces with little indication of depth or spatial recession. Objects were depicted as if seen from different angles simultaneously, creating a sense of simultaneity or multiple viewpoints within the same composition.
Synthetic Cubism blurred the boundaries between painting and sculpture by incorporating both two- and three-dimensional elements into the same composition. Artists would often collage real-world objects onto the surface of their paintings, creating a dynamic interplay between flat, painted surfaces and three-dimensional objects.
Synthetic Cubism allowed artists to explore texture and surface in new ways by incorporating a diverse range of materials and textures into their works. By layering different materials and juxtaposing textures, artists could create visually rich and tactile surfaces that added depth and complexity to their compositions.
Synthetic Cubism had a profound influence on the course of modern art, paving the way for subsequent movements such as Dadaism and Surrealism. Its emphasis on collage, mixed media, and the incorporation of real-world materials into artworks challenged traditional notions of artistic representation and opened up new possibilities for artistic expression.