Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, and printmaker, one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. He co-founded Cubism and experimented with many styles, and his work profoundly influenced the development of modern art.

Life

Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain, in 1881. He showed artistic talent from an early age and moved to Paris in 1904, where he became a central figure in the artistic avant-garde.

He spent most of his life in France and died in 1973. His career spanned more than seven decades, and he produced an enormous body of work.

Periods

Picasso's work is commonly divided into periods. The Blue Period, from about 1901 to 1904, is characterised by sombre colours and by subjects of poverty and sadness. The Rose Period, from about 1904 to 1906, is more optimistic and uses warmer colours.

The African Period, from about 1907 to 1909, was influenced by African art and led to the development of Cubism. The painting Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, of 1907, is regarded as a landmark of modern art.

Cubism

Cubism, developed by Picasso and Georges Braque, broke with the traditional representation of space and sought to depict objects from multiple viewpoints at once. The movement was a radical departure from the conventions of Western art.

Analytic Cubism, from about 1909 to 1912, fragmented the subject and used a limited palette. Synthetic Cubism, from about 1912 to 1919, used collage and simpler forms, and it influenced the development of abstract art.

Later Work and Legacy

Picasso continued to work in a variety of styles, and he produced sculptures, ceramics, and prints. His painting Guernica, of 1937, is a powerful protest against war and one of the most famous works of the twentieth century.

His influence on modern art is immense. He is regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time, and his work is held in major museums throughout the world.

The Early Years

Picasso showed artistic talent from an early age and studied at the academies of Barcelona and Madrid. He moved to Paris in 1904 and became a central figure in the artistic avant-garde.

His early works show the influence of the symbolists and of the post-impressionists, and they develop the themes that inform his later work.

The Blue and Rose Periods

The Blue Period, from about 1901 to 1904, is characterised by sombre colours and by subjects of poverty and sadness. The works depict beggars, blind people, and outcasts, and they express a mood of melancholy.

The Rose Period, from about 1904 to 1906, is more optimistic and uses warmer colours. The works depict circus performers and harlequins, and they show the influence of the artist's circle in Montmartre.

Cubism

Cubism, developed by Picasso and Georges Braque, broke with the traditional representation of space. The movement fragmented the subject and depicted it from multiple viewpoints.

Analytic Cubism, from about 1909 to 1912, used a limited palette and complex forms. Synthetic Cubism, from about 1912 to 1919, used collage and simpler forms, and it influenced the development of abstract art.

The Later Work

Picasso continued to work in a variety of styles, and he produced sculptures, ceramics, and prints. His painting Guernica, of 1937, is a powerful protest against war and one of the most famous works of the twentieth century.

He remained productive until his death in 1973, and he continued to experiment with new forms and media. His influence on modern art is immense.

Summary

Picasso was one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. His co-founding of Cubism and his lifelong experimentation transformed the development of modern art.

Guernica and the Political Turn

The bombing of the town of Guernica by German and Italian aircraft in 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, prompted Picasso to paint the large canvas that bears its name. It is a powerful protest against the brutality of war.

The picture combines the distorted figures and the symbolism that Picasso had developed, and it is regarded as one of the most important works of the twentieth century. It was exhibited at the Paris exposition of 1937.

Picasso supported the republican cause, and he remained politically engaged throughout his life. He joined the Communist Party after the Second World War, and he spoke at several peace congresses.

Sculpture and Ceramics

Picasso worked in sculpture throughout his career, and he used a wide range of materials, including bronze, wood, and sheet metal. He also made many constructions and assemblages.

In his later years he devoted much of his energy to ceramics, producing a large body of work at Vallauris. The ceramics are decorated with faces, animals, and mythological subjects.

He also produced prints, including etchings and lithographs. The Vollard Suite is among the most important bodies of graphic work by any twentieth-century artist.

Late Work and Legacy

Picasso remained productive until the end of his life, and he continued to paint in a personal and often playful manner. The late works include portraits of his wife Jacqueline and many variations on the themes of the old masters.

His influence on modern art is immense and extends to painting, sculpture, and design. He is one of the few artists whose name is recognized throughout the world.

The scale of his output and the variety of his styles have made him a central figure in the history of modernism. His work continues to be exhibited and studied, and it continues to provoke debate.

See also

• Georges Braque
• Cubism
• Salvador Dali