Sample of Assignment Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso has been called one of the most important works in the genesis of modern art by The Museum of Modern Art in a 2004 publication1 and the most influential work of art of the last 100 years in a 2007 article in Newsweek.2 Picasso created the work in 1907, the modern era. Determining the proper culture is difficult. He is considered a Spanish painter. There are clear Iberian and African influences presented in the painting. He painted it in Paris. The title references a brothel in Barcelona, Spain. So, for the most consistent classification, Spanish culture seems to be the most fitting. That said, this work is less about the cultural ties to that place, and more about someone reaching for a new direction in art. The social/psychological reference within the work has been interpreted by William Rubin in his book dedicated to the work as reflecting his deep-seated fear and loathing of the female body, which existed side by side with his craving for and ecstatic idealization of it.3 If this is true, then the way the figures are distorted would certainly support that idea. However, for two reasons this work is more than just a social comment from Picasso or a psychological manifestation of his attitude toward women and more one of development of a personal, and possibly intentional new style of presenting subject matter. The early rivalry between Matisse and Picasso is well documented. It has been suggested that Matisse's Bonheur de vivre (The Joy of Life) became a challenge for Picasso's creation of Les Damoiselles d'Avignon.4 The two seemed to be competing for who would be the leader in the pursuit of Modern Art. If this work were the last one by Picasso, it may not have had the lasting impact on the world of art that it enjoys. But in his subsequent work, and others, the fragmentation and representation of subject matter in planes that defy nature began with this work. It is a new aesthetic approach that forced the viewer at that time to reconsider many aspects of what art is and how space can be redefined. On one hand the subject matter could be viewed as a personal comment on brothels in general, but because it is clear that Picasso was in search for a new direction in modern art, it is clear that his main purpose was to influence the world of art with this new way of presenting subject matter. 1 Publication excerpt from The Museum of Modern Art, MoMA Highlights, New York: The Museum of Modern Art, revised 2004, originally published 1999, p. 64 2 http://www.newsweek.com/which-most-influential-work-art-last-100-years-102269 3 LES DEMOISELLES D'AVIGNON By William Rubin, Helene Seckel and Judith Cousins. Illustrated. 280 pp. New York: The Museum of Modern Art/ Harry N. Abrams. 4 https://news.masterworksfineart.com/2017/06/12/henri-matisse-and-pablo-picasso Culture directions Before attempting this assignment make sure that you completed both the introduction and culture lessons.

1. Sample of Assignment
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso has been called
one of the most important works in the genesis of modern art by
The Museum of Modern Art in a 2004 publication1 and the most
influential work of art of the last 100 years in a 2007 article in
Newsweek.2 Picasso created the work in 1907, the modern era.
Determining the proper culture is difficult. He is considered a
Spanish painter. There are clear Iberian and African influences
presented in the painting. He painted it in Paris. The title
references a brothel in Barcelona, Spain. So, for the most
consistent classification, Spanish culture seems to be the most
fitting.
That said, this work is less about the cultural ties to that place,
and more about someone reaching for a new direction in art.
The social/psychological reference within the work has been
interpreted by William Rubin in his book dedicated to the work
as reflecting his deep-seated fear and loathing of the female
body, which existed side by side with his craving for and
ecstatic idealization of it.3 If this is true, then the way the
figures are distorted would certainly support that idea.
However, for two reasons this work is more than just a social
comment from Picasso or a psychological manifestation of his
attitude toward women and more one of development of a
personal, and possibly intentional new style of presenting
subject matter. The early rivalry between Matisse and Picasso is
well documented. It has been suggested that Matisse's Bonheur
de vivre (The Joy of Life) became a challenge for Picasso's
creation of Les Damoiselles d'Avignon.4 The two seemed to be
competing for who would be the leader in the pursuit of Modern
Art. If this work were the last one by Picasso, it may not have
had the lasting impact on the world of art that it enjoys. But in
his subsequent work, and others, the fragmentation and
representation of subject matter in planes that defy nature began
with this work. It is a new aesthetic approach that forced the

2. viewer at that time to reconsider many aspects of what art is and
how space can be redefined.
On one hand the subject matter could be viewed as a personal
comment on brothels in general, but because it is clear that
Picasso was in search for a new direction in modern art, it is
clear that his main purpose was to influence the world of art
with this new way of presenting subject matter.
1 Publication excerpt from The Museum of Modern Art, MoMA
Highlights, New York: The Museum of Modern Art, revised
2004, originally published 1999, p. 64
2 http://www.newsweek.com/which-most-influential-work-art-
last-100-years-102269
3 LES DEMOISELLES D'AVIGNON By William Rubin, Helene
Seckel and Judith Cousins. Illustrated. 280 pp. New York: The
Museum of Modern Art/ Harry N. Abrams.
4 https://news.masterworksfineart.com/2017/06/12/henri-
matisse-and-pablo-picasso
Culture directions
Before attempting this assignment make sure that you completed
both the introduction and culture lessons, as well as the relevant
glossary entries.
A) Choose one of the works below: Stonehenge
B) Search the web for information regarding your choice. Find
at least two sources. Include all web addresses referenced.
C) DO NOT present this as an outline. Present it in paragraph
form as you would any paper.
points
description
.5
the first resource has been identified
.5
the resource has been properly cited
.5
the second resource has been identified
.5

3. the resource has been properly cited
.5
the correct time period from the general chronology has been
identified
.5
the time period has been underlined
.5
the correct culture or nationality has been identified
.5
the culture or nationality has been underlined
5
brief introduction of the work
.5
one or more cultural aspects have been identified
.5
each aspect has been underlined
12
the aspects have been fully developed and reflects the number
of points available for this part
.5
one of the three communication concepts listed in the culture
lecture has been identified
.5
the concept has been underlined
7
the discussion of the concept has been adequately supported
30
total point possible
In the first paragraph identify the work you have selected, its
creator (if known), and both the time period and culture from
which it comes. The work may be in one of the overlapping
periods but place it in one of the eight periods within the
general chronology. If you don't know the specific culture in
which the work was created, then use the nationality of the
artist that created it. Include a discussion of the work in
general. Include anything that makes the work interesting or

4. unique.
In the second paragraph discuss the cultural aspect or aspects
that the work reflects. The list is in your notes. There were
several specific ones that were identified. Focus on why it was
created rather than how it was used or viewed at a later time.
What was the artist trying to say? Then discuss how you came
to that conclusion. Take the cultural aspect(s) identified and
discuss how it(they) represent(s) the culture that was identified
in the first paragraph. Note that there are 13 points for this part
so it should be developed accordingly.
In the third paragraph identify the way or ways that the work
communicates the idea. There were three identified - document,
comment, and influence. Remember this reflects the reason the
artist created it, and not how it was necessarily viewed by
others later. Then, defend your choice with respect to the work
within the culture that was identified in the first paragraph.
Note that there are 8 points for this part so it should be
developed accordingly.