Comparing and Contrasting Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon to André Derain’s Charing Cross Bridge, London – An ‘Isms’ Overview

The early 20th century marked a significant period in the development of modern art, particularly through the emergence of Fauvism and Cubism as groundbreaking styles that departed from traditional artistic conventions. This paper compares and contrasts two works of art that are emblematic of these movements: Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907) and André Derain’s Charing Cross Bridge, London (1906).

Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is a landmark painting in the history of art, as it is credited with initiating the Cubist movement. The painting portrays five naked female figures, two of which wear African masks, and are positioned in a fractured and distorted space. The painting’s bold lines, sharp angles, and multi-perspective composition are hallmarks of Cubism. Picasso’s use of African masks as visual sources is also notable, as it reflects his interest in non-Western art and his attempt to move beyond European aesthetic traditions.

The painting is also notable for its subversion of traditional gender roles and its portrayal of sexuality. The women’s gaze is confrontational and their bodies are presented in an aggressive and sexualized manner, which was a radical departure from the prevailing norms of the time. The painting’s fragmented composition and distorted forms are also suggestive of the psychological tension and fragmentation of modern life, a theme that would become central to modernist art.

Charing Cross Bridge, London is a key example of Fauvism, a movement that emerged in France around 1905 and is characterized by the use of bold, bright colours and expressive brushstrokes. The painting portrays the bridge from a high vantage point, with the River Thames and the London skyline in the background. The bridge is depicted in a range of vivid colours, with bold brushstrokes and simplified forms. The sky and water are similarly simplified into geometric shapes and bands of colour.

The painting’s use of colour is one of its most striking features, as it departs from traditional representational techniques and instead uses colour to express emotion and create a sense of atmosphere. The painting’s bright colours and simplified forms are also suggestive of the Fauvist interest in primitivism and non-Western art. Like Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Charing Cross Bridge, London is an attempt to move beyond traditional artistic conventions and capture the vibrancy and complexity of modern life.

Despite the similarities between the two works, there are several notable differences that reflect the divergent approaches of Cubism and Fauvism. The most obvious difference is their use of colour: Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is predominantly monochromatic, with muted tones and minimal colour variation, while Charing Cross Bridge, London is characterized by its bold, bright colours and expressive brushstrokes. Similarly, while Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is composed of fragmented and distorted forms, Charing Cross Bridge, London is relatively representational, albeit simplified and stylized.

Another difference between the two works is their subject matter: Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is a provocative and confrontational portrayal of female sexuality, while Charing Cross Bridge, London is a relatively benign depiction of a London landmark. Despite these differences, both paintings are emblematic of their respective movements and reflect the artists’ attempts to move beyond traditional artistic conventions and capture the complexity of modern life.