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The painting 'Opium' is probably Vlaminck's most impressive exploration of Cubism and one of the few representations of figures made during the experimental phase of Cubism. The other works in which the artist worked in Cubism are still lifes. The painting shows a female figure seated in a chair, holding an opium pipe. Both the figure and the surrounding space display the characteristic features of Cubist art: geometric and fragmented forms, the interweaving of foreground and background and the lack of depth. Here Vlaminck comes very close to Picasso's paintings of the same period.

Vlaminck may also have inspired the study of African masks, which interested the Fauves and other artists of the time. In 1905, Vlaminck was the first of the Fauves to acquire a Fang mask from Gabon, which he later sold to Derain. Matisse also acquired one in 1906. Picasso was also fascinated by African masks and drew inspiration from them, especially during his Cubist period.