Pablo Ruiz Picasso, better known as simply Pablo Picasso, was a famous Spanish painter. He was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
He was born on October 25, 1881, in Malaga, Spain. Here are some interesting facts about his life and work.
Picasso’s Life and Career
Pablo Picasso’s full name was actually Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso. Yes, you read that correctly. Pablo Picasso’s name was more than 18 words long!
He was a child prodigy or someone (especially) a young person who showed exceptional skills or abilities. Pablo Picasso showed a talent for drawing and painting at an early age. In fact, Pablo’s first word was reportedly “lapiz,” which means “pencil” in Spanish.
At the age of 14, Picasso attended the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. His father worked there as an art teacher. He quickly outpaced his peers. By his early 20s, he had moved to Paris and made a name for himself as an artist and illustrator.
Picasso was married twice. His first wife was Olga Khokhlova, a Russian ballerina. They had a son together named Paulo. Their marriage was rocky and ended in divorce. Later in life, Picasso married his second wife, Jacqueline Roque, who stayed with him until his death.
In his later years, he continued to create art and experiment with new styles. He became very famous and wealthy. He never stopped working hard and pushing himself creatively.
In the 1960s, Picasso started to work on a series of paintings called “Las Meninas.” These paintings were inspired by a famous painting by the Spanish artist Diego Velázquez. Picasso created many different versions of this painting, each showing his unique style and perspective.
Picasso also continued to work on sculptures and other types of artwork. He was very productive and created many pieces of art during this time. He even worked on a massive sculpture that was installed in a public square in Chicago.
Even though he was famous and successful, Picasso was still very private and focused on his art. He passed away in 1973 at the age of 91. His legacy lives on through his incredible artwork that can be seen and appreciated all over the world.
Famous Periods and Movements
One of the most famous periods of Picasso’s work is his Blue Period, which lasted from 1901 to 1904. During this time, he created many paintings using blue and green tones to convey feelings of sadness and melancholy. Some of his most famous paintings from this period include “The Old Guitarist” and “La Vie.”
Picasso was a founder of cubism and the Cubist movement, which emerged in the early 1900s. Cubism was characterized by the use of geometric forms to represent objects in a fragmented way. His first cubist painting was Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Some of Picasso’s most famous works from this period include “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” and “Guernica.”
Famous Works
Picasso created many famous works of art throughout his life. Some of his most well-known paintings include “The Weeping Woman.” The painting shows a woman crying, and her tears are streaming down her face.
“Girl Before a Mirror” depicts a young girl looking into a mirror with her reflection showing a different image of herself.
“Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” is considered one of the most important works of art in the 20th century.
These paintings showcase Picasso’s ability to experiment with different styles and techniques while keeping his signature style. He also created book illustrations, sculptures, and ceramics.
Picasso was also an accomplished sculptor and printmaker, creating works such as “Seated Woman” and “The Bull.” In addition to his fine art, Picasso designed sets and costumes for various ballets and theatrical productions.
Fun Facts
There are so many interesting facts about Picasso. He is one of the most famous artists of all time. Here are some Pablo Picasso facts you will find fascinating.
- Picasso was a prolific artist. He created an estimated 50,000 works of art in his lifetime.
- His first oil painting was called “Picador” and was done at 8 years old.
- “Science and Charity” was a famous piece he completed when he was just 16 years old.
- Picasso’s father, José Ruiz Blasco, was also a painter and taught him to draw and paint at a young age.
- Picasso was once asked to fix the Mona Lisa when it was damaged, but he declined.
- He created a portrait of his father, which is now on display in the Picasso Museum in Barcelona.
- Picasso had a pet monkey named Monina, who often sat on his shoulder as he worked.
Legacy
Pablo Picasso’s influence on the art world cannot be overstated. He was one of the most famous painters of his time. His work continues to inspire artists today.
Picasso’s use of form, color, and composition helped to bring in a new era of art and made his status one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century. Picasso produced over 20,000 paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, theatre sets, and costumes.
Picasso’s influence is still felt today, with many artists drawing inspiration from his work. He broke the rules of traditional art and created new ways of expressing himself through his paintings, sculptures, and other art forms. He also inspired other artists to experiment and take risks with their own work.
In addition to his impact on the art world, Picasso also helped change how people think about art. He believed art should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy and educated. He wanted his art to be enjoyed by all people, regardless of their background or education.
Pablo Picasso was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He was known for his unique style and experimentation with different mediums and techniques.
From his early life as a child prodigy to his later years as an accomplished artist and sculptor, Picasso left a mark on the art world. His famous works and the art movements he founded continue to inspire and influence artists today.
Do you want to paint like Picasso? Here are 25 Picasso inspired painting ideas for kids that will inspire you.