Cubism

 One primary influence that led to Cubism was the representation of the three dimensional form in the late works of Paul Cezanne. The Salon d'Automne displayed works of Cezanne over the years 1904-7. Cezanne wanted to solidify art (he felt the impressionist movement was too un-solid). He liked structure and had an analytical approach to representing the subject. He created the third dimension by tonality as can be seen in his painting above - Quarry Bibemus 1898-1900 - where the dark shadows give it a three dimensional appearance.
The Cubism movement happened in the early 20th century which was a time of social change with the industrial revolution progressing, photography was developing and urban settlements were growing.
Picasso's 1907 painting Les Demoiselles d'Avignon was considered a proto-Cubist work and by 1911 Picasso was recognised by many as the inventor of Cubism. In Cubist artwork objects are analysed, broken up and reassembled into an abstract form. Instead of depicting objects from a single viewpoint the artist depicts the subject from a multiple of viewpoints showing multiple perspective and multiple lapses of time.
Cubism is split into two phases. The Analytic phase 1907-12 was when the subject was studied, broken down into bits and put back together as can be seen by this painting by Georges Braque 1910 - the Violin and Candlestick.

The second phase was the Synthetic phase 1913-20's. This was more collage/mixed media and sometimes had more colour and texture as can be seen by this painting below by Juan Gris 1916 - Portrait of Josette.

 Fernand Leger was fascinated by machines and modern technology. He simplified his forms to geometric components - the cube, cone and sphere.
Many of the Cubist paintings lack emotion and narrative and as a consequence, can be described as quite masculine. However Marie Laurencin 1883-1956 was a member of both the circle of Picasso and the Cubists associated with the Section d'Or. Her picture below - La Toilette des jeunes filles 1911 - shows some cubist traits in particular in her portrayal of their features.