Pioneered by Picasso and Braque, Cubism was the first avant-garde art movement of the 20 th century. Heavily influenced by the stark power of African and Native American art and sculpture, it deconstructed conventions of viewpoint and perspective, revolutionizing painting and western art in general. With its flattened, geometric shapes, overlapping, simplified forms and fragmented spatial planes, Cubism became one of the most influential and far-reaching movements in modern art. This book explains the history and theory behind Cubism, examining the work of its prime movers, and those whose work built upon it.