Which artistic style is Pablo Picasso credited with pioneering in the early 20th century?

Pablo Picasso is credited with pioneering Cubism, an innovative artistic style that emerged in the early 20th century. This movement fundamentally transformed the way artists approached perspective, form, and composition. Rather than depicting objects from a single viewpoint, Cubism breaks subjects down into geometric shapes and reassembles them in abstract forms, allowing for multiple perspectives to be viewed simultaneously. This technique challenged traditional notions of representation and paved the way for modern art.

Cubism is characterized by its fragmented appearance and the way it represents different angles and viewpoints, all presented on a flat surface. This method offered a fresh approach to reality, emphasizing the two-dimensionality of the canvas while simultaneously exploring complex relationships between objects and space.

Understanding Picasso's contribution to Cubism is crucial as it signifies a radical departure from the realism and naturalism that were prevalent before this movement. His works from this period, such as "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," exemplify these techniques and ideas central to Cubist philosophy.