Artist Profile: Pablo Picasso

Colin Harper

Pablo Picasso

Pable Picasso was born on October 25, 1881 in Malaga, Spain, to Jose Ruiz and Maria Picasso. His father was a painter and a professor, and his mother's occupation was unknown. He had two siblings, Lola Picasso, and Conchita Picasso. Picasso grew up around the arts, and was adept at painting in his early years. He entered the Royal Academy of San Fernando at age 11. His sister Conchita passed away in 1895, and Picasso was devastated. In 1897 he won a gold medal at a major art exposition. This gave the young Picasso confidence in his artistic ability. Picasso's life was filled with many lovers. He was married and divorced multiple times. His most beloved significant other was named Eva Gouell. She passed away in 1915, and thus began the time known as Picasso's blue period. In his blue period, Picasso painted many sad paintings, and used a majority of blue and dark hues of paint. The Guitarist was created during his blue period. Picasso's most popular medium was paint, however he dabbled in most mediums, including ceramics. He is associated with cubism and 19th and 20th century period art. His most famous paintings, along with The Old Guitarist, are Guernica and Three Musicians. Guernica is a painting depicting Picasso's thoughts on war. Mutilated animals and people cover the canvas. Picasso joined the communist party in his later years, and continued to create art. He had a myriad of partners in his life, but he settled down with Jacqueline Roque for the final years of his life. Picasso died in Mougins, France in 1973.