The Inspiring Life of Pablo Picasso
Pablo Ruiz y Picasso, more commonly known as Picasso, was an influential Spanish artist. Involved in printmaking, sculpting, stage design, painting, and writing, he was a truly creative being who has inspired many artists after him. Here is a closer look into Picasso, a man who offered the world a prolific collection.
Picasso was a man who used his art to convey social, political, and intellectual messages. He was a true artistic genius, creating well over 20,000 works of art within his career. Though Cubism, Surrealism, Neoclassicism, and Expressionism, he created prints, ceramics, theater sets, paintings, costumes, drawings, and other artistic works.
Originally born in Spain, in 1881, he moved to Barcelona when he was 18 years of age. It was here that he developed a connection with other writers, artists, and poets. His paintings often depicted themes such as despair, poverty, and loneliness — which was especially evident within his 'Blue Period' which lasted until the middle of 1904.
After moving to Paris, the theme behind his paintings became more pleasant. Between late 1904 and 1906, his more joyful style was represented by the use of orange and pinks and was appropriately named his 'Rose Period.' It wasn't until 1910 that he began to experiment with abstraction.
Alongside George Braque, Picasso developed one of the most influential styles of the early twentieth century — Cubism. In this sense, Picasso essentially transformed the world of art, moving away from the concept that art should mimic nature and reality.
As he built his career, he wasn't afraid to push the boundaries. He created art that depicted both his personal feelings, as well as the outside world around him. His work, Guernica, was painted after Nazi Germany bombed Guernica and was considered to be one of the most powerful anti-war messages within modern art.
Living a long and fulfilling life, Picasso died at the age of 91 in 1973. He quickly became recognized as one of the most influential and successful artists throughout history. With a career that spanned nearly eight decades, he is now known as the father of modern art.
Picasso Masterpieces
Picasso produced tens of thousands of pieces, impacting the art world in a highly significant way. His free spirit and creative style was evident in his collection, making him one of the most versatile artists in history. Today, people across the world continue to admire his work and his ability to move his audience.
This painting is enlightening, yet haunting, as Picasso depicts an elderly blind man, hunched over as he plays his guitar. It was during this time that Picasso limited himself to a monochromatic blue palette, focusing on psychological themes of human emotional and misery. He himself was very poor and sympathized with the 'outcasts' of society.
As mentioned above, this painting was potentially one of Picasso's most famous paintings. This piece depicts the tragedies of war and its impact on those affected. It later became a powerful symbol, highlighting the destruction of war on innocent civilians.