How did Synthetic Cubism differ from Analytical Cubism?

Analytical Cubism (1910–1912) and Synthetic Cubism represent two distinct phases in the development of the style pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.1

• Analytical Cubism focused on the "analysis" or breaking down of forms. Artists utilized a nearly monochromatic color palette to emphasize the structure of objects, which were reduced to overlapping, dense, and fragmented planes.1
• Synthetic Cubism (post-1912) shifted toward the "synthesis" or combination of forms. This phase introduced a more decorative approach, featuring larger, flatter shapes and a more prominent role for color.1

A defining characteristic of Synthetic Cubism is the use of collage, where artists incorporated foreign materials—such as newspapers or tobacco wrappers—directly onto the canvas. This technique contrasted different textures and challenged traditional perceptions of reality versus illusion, marking a departure from the dense, structural focus of the earlier Analytical period.1