When you hear the words "Modern Art" only one person comes to mind, Pablo Picasso. His name just rolls off the tongue, but he is also famous for his great modern works. He created thousands of paintings, prints, sculptures and ceramics during a time span of only about 75 years. For many, Picasso is the undisputed greatest art genius of the twentieth century. Picasso was born on October 25, 1881 in Malaga, Spain, as the son of an art and drawing teacher. He was a brilliant student. At the age of 14, he passed the entrance exam for the Barcelona School of Fine Arts. According to stories, his father recognized such great talent in little Pablo that he vowed to never paint again.
Before he came upon Cubism, Picasso went through many other styles - realism, caricature, the Blue Period and the Rose Period. The Blue Period dates from 1901 to 1904 and is characterized by a predominantly blue palette and subjects focusing on outcasts, beggars, and prostitutes.
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Oil on Canvas (244 x 23...
Pablo Picasso, Three Musicians (1921), Museum of M...
Pablo Picasso 1962The Rose Period is characterized by a lighter palette and greater lyricism with subject matter often drawn from circus life.
Picasso's personal life was a little bit shaky to say the least. He had a long string of lovers, four children by three women, and two wives. In the early 20th century, Pablo, still a struggling youth, began a long term relationship with Fernande Olivier. She appears in many of the Blue and Rose period paintings. After gaining fame and some fortune, Picasso left Fernande for Marcelle Humbert, whom Picasso called Eva. When it became clear that Eva was dying, he left her as well. Throughout his life, he also frequented bordellos, and had numerous affairs.
In his 80s and 90s, Picasso became a lot more isolated. His second wife,