Introduction to the History of Collage

Collage, as an artistic technique, has ancient roots, but its recognition as a form of modern art occurred in the early twentieth century.

The term comes from the French coller, meaning “to glue,” and it consists of assembling different materials on a surface to create a new composition.

Origins and Early Uses

Although collage has been used in decorative arts for centuries, its introduction into the world of modern art took place with the Cubists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque around 1912.

They began incorporating pieces of wallpaper, newspapers, and other materials into their paintings, creating what they called papier collé.

This innovation broke with the traditional concept of painting and expanded the boundaries of what could be considered art.

*Raoul Housmann. Dada movement 1920 - photomontage*

Collage in Dadaism and Surrealism

In the 1910s and 1920s, the Dada movement adopted collage as a means to challenge traditional art and society. Hannah Höch, for example, became famous for her photomontages that mixed images from magazines to create social and political commentary. Another Dadaist, Kurt Schwitters, developed his own version of collage, called Merz, using discarded materials to create abstract compositions.

Surrealists also explored collage to create unexpected and dreamlike images. Max Ernst, for instance, combined illustrations from encyclopedias to form fantastical landscapes and creatures.

Collage in the Twentieth Century

Collage continued to evolve with twentieth-century artists. In the Pop Art movement, Richard Hamilton and Robert Rauschenberg used magazine clippings and photographs to reflect mass culture. Henri Matisse, in the 1940s and 1950s, revolutionized collage by creating his famous gouaches découpées, cutting painted papers with gouache to form vibrant compositions.

In the 1960s and 1970s, collage became an important tool for feminist artists such as Martha Rosler, who used photomontages to critique consumer society and the representation of women in the media.

If you like the subject you can explore more by reading the following this link: Martha Rosler brought the Vietnam War into the American living room

Contemporary Collage

Today, collage remains a strong practice in contemporary art, expanding into digital media and three-dimensional installations. Artists such as Eugenia Loli and Anastasia Savinova use collage to create unique visual narratives, while artists like Catherine Eaton Skinner explore mixed techniques and diverse materials.

Collage is also present in street art and graphic design, being widely used by illustrators and digital artists. The popularization of digital tools has allowed the technique to expand even further, reaching new audiences and formats.

Conclusion

Collage began as an experiment in Cubism, went through revolutions in Dadaism and Surrealism, and has established itself as an essential technique in modern and contemporary art. In this workshop, we will explore these influences and apply the principles of collage in projects inspired by contemporary artists, connecting tradition and innovation.

Collage Studies

Collage Practice

A Creative Wrap-Up