Artist Profile | Painting

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was a Spanish artist who spent most of his life in France. A true artistic giant, he excelled in painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, and even theatre design. He's most famous for co-founding Cubism, a revolutionary style that fragmented objects. Another major contribution? Co-inventing collage, incorporating real-world materials into art. His artistic journey explored a vast range of styles throughout his long career. Among his iconic works is "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907), a proto-Cubist masterpiece. "Guernica" (1937), a powerful anti-war painting, is another instantly recognizable creation. It depicts the horrors of the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. Born with a ridiculously long name: Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso. Artistic talent blossomed early - he created his first painting at just 9 years old! By his teens, his skills were so advanced he was already attending a prestigious art academy. Picasso's personal life was just as colorful as his art, with numerous relationships. He was married twice, but had many muses who inspired his work. Despite living in France for most of his life, his Spanish heritage remained a strong influence. Throughout the 20th century, Picasso remained a dominant figure in the art world. His prolific career produced an astonishing number of artworks - estimates range over 20,000! Even today, Picasso remains one of the most influential and commercially successful artists ever. His works fetch staggering sums at auctions, solidifying his artistic legacy. Picasso's life and art continue to inspire and challenge artists and viewers alike. Though he passed away in 1973, his artistic spirit lives on through his timeless creations.