Plane in Art

Plane in Art

Plane in art refers to a flat surface, usually in a painting or sculpture. Any clearly defined flat surface can be called a plane.

‘Plane’ in art is commonly used to describe the flat areas or patches visible in cubist paintings. These planes play a significant role in the composition and visual structure of cubist art. Furthermore, geometric abstract artists frequently make reference to planes when discussing their work.

In the context of cubist paintings, artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque used planes to break down objects and scenes into geometric shapes and facets. These planes represent different views and perspectives of the subject, offering viewers a multifaceted and abstracted interpretation.

In the realm of geometric abstract art, artists use planes to explore the relationships between various geometric forms, such as squares, triangles, and circles. By manipulating these planes, artists create compositions that emphasise shape, colour, and spatial arrangements, often resulting in visually engaging and thought-provoking artworks. The concept of planes in art is a fundamental element in the vocabulary of both cubist and geometric abstract art, contributing to the richness and complexity of their visual expressions.


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Parra's studio, with Parra at the centre, his back to the camera as he works on the large painting takes centre stage, showing a faceless blue woman in a striped dress, painted in red, purple, blue and teal. The studio is full of brightly coloured paints, with a large window on the right and a patterned rug across the floor under the painting.