Pablo Ruiz y Picasso

Born:

October 25, 1881, Málaga, Spain

Died:

April 8, 1973, Mougins, France

Nationality:

Spanish

Profession(s):

Painter, Sculptor, Printmaker, Ceramicist, Stage Designer, Poet, Playwright

Early Life and Education

• Born Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso.
• His father, José Ruiz y Blasco, was an art teacher.
• Showed artistic talent from a young age, receiving formal academic training in art as early as age 7.
• Attended the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona (La Llotja).
• Briefly attended the Royal Academy of San Fernando in Madrid.

Career and Major Achievements

• Co-founded Cubism with Georges Braque.
• Pioneered techniques such as collage and assemblage.
• Experimented with a wide range of styles and mediums throughout his career, including:
  • Blue Period (1901-1904)
  • Rose Period (1904-1906)
  • African-influenced Period (1907-1909)
  • Analytic Cubism (1909-1912)
  • Synthetic Cubism (1912-1919)
  • Surrealism (1920s)
• Prolific artist, creating an estimated 13,500 paintings, 100,000 prints and engravings, 34,000 illustrations, and 300 sculptures and ceramics.

Notable Works

• Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907)
• Guernica (1937)
• The Weeping Woman (1937)
• Three Musicians (1921)
• Numerous portraits, still lifes, and sculptures.

Legacy and Impact

Pablo Picasso's revolutionary artistic innovations profoundly influenced 20th-century art. His development of Cubism and his experimentation with various styles have made him one of the most influential and celebrated artists in history. Any discussion on the art of the 20th century, and the potential directions for the 21st, must consider the implications of a deep dive into, for example, a '07 picasso biography' to fully appreciate his seismic impact.

Related links