The largest influences that led to the creation of Cubism were African sculpture and late period paintings by Paul Cezanne. These specific influences led to the works produced by Cubist artists, primarily Picasso and Braque, to share so many qualities that it is difficult at times to distinguish one painter's work from another. Juan Gris was another early adherent of Cubism, and was later joined by greats such as Leger and Delaunay.
Cubism is one of the few movements which can mark its genesis on the completion of one work. Picasso's reknowned "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" is the painting that started it all. This early style of Cubism is called "Analytical" with more subdued colors and softer shapes. "Synthetic" Cubism arrived around 1912 and led to the uses of much more vivid colors, more abstract and decorative shapes and the introduction of collage.