Primitivism in art is a term used to describe the interest of modern Western artists in the visual, cultural, and aesthetic forms of non-Western or prehistoric peoples. Emerging at the end of the 19th century, this movement reflects a desire to escape the confines of industrialized society and the perceived over-refinement of European art.

Artists such as Paul Gauguin and Pablo Picasso were drawn to what they saw as the raw, expressive quality of so-called "primitive" art forms, from African masks to the vibrant imagery of Pacific Island art. These influences can be seen in the simplified figures, bold patterns, and strong colors in Gauguin’s Tahitian paintings and in the distorted forms and fragmented planes of Picasso’s Cubist works, especially "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon."

While Primitivism was instrumental in liberating Western art from traditional constraints and introducing new perspectives, it is now often critiqued for its patronizing and idealized view of other cultures. It is understood as a complex phenomenon that reflects a mixture of genuine admiration, romanticism, and at times, cultural misunderstanding. Despite this, its impact on the evolution of modern art remains undeniable.