Question by Elena_Jolie: What is the primitive of the artwork ” Les demoiselles” by Picasso??
thank you( if the information you give is from a web site plz let me know)
Best answer:
Answer by Steven
Les demoiselles d’Avignon (sp?) It’s African masks on nudes who were prostitutes. The women may have been ethnically something other than European, that’s the answer.
Add your own answer in the comments!
The primitive is the influence of African masks with the figures. This becomes very apparent when you compare it to other artwork of its time period. Keep in mind that Monet is still making art durring this time, and Kandinsky is making work that still has figures in it. Even in Picasso’s own work right before this departure (his Rose Period). This painting marks the beginning of a huge departure in style for him. The influence of the “primitive”, the breaking down of forms, the idea of seeing an object from many sides, starts here with this work.
The use of the term primitive is really just a snobby way for artist of that time to say they are influenced by work not of a western tradition, and therefore in someways not as good. Of course without these influences where would the Modern period be.