Pablo Picasso, hands down, is my favourite artist of all time. I don’t even hesitate for a single second when answering with his name. I don’t even remember when I first saw his work or what made me love him so much. But I do remember the documentary I watched around 9 or so years ago that brought me back to my own art practice after a big break in doing anything creatively. Arguably, one of the best artists in the history of the world, Pablo Picasso was a visionary, the purest form of raw talent. His infatuation with the the women who became his muse and his unique way of viewing his subjects that change the landscape of art forever. Picasso sought beauty in everything he created from paintings, to murals, sculpture and ceramics. There is no doubt his talent was matched with is charm, his life just as exciting as the marks he made on his canvas.
Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential and prolific artists of the 20th century, experienced a series of distinct artistic phases throughout his career, each marked by unique stylistic innovations. His early years were defined by the Blue Period (1901-1904), during which he utilized monochromatic shades of blue and blue-green to convey themes of poverty, despair, and emotional turmoil. This period produced melancholic works such as "The Old Guitarist" (1903), reflecting his empathy for society's outcasts and his own personal struggles following the suicide of his friend Carlos Casagemas. The subsequent Rose Period (1904-1906) saw a shift to warmer colors like pinks and reds, with subjects including circus performers, acrobats, and harlequins. These works, while still tinged with a sense of loneliness, conveyed a gentler and more romantic atmosphere, exemplified by paintings like "Family of Saltimbanques" (1905).
Picasso's most revolutionary phase began with the advent of Cubism (1907-1917), developed in collaboration with Georges Braque. Cubism deconstructed objects into geometric shapes, presenting multiple perspectives simultaneously. This radical approach challenged traditional notions of perspective and form, as seen in "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907), which is often cited as a precursor to Cubism. The movement evolved into Analytical Cubism, characterized by fragmented forms and a monochromatic palette, and later into Synthetic Cubism, which introduced brighter colors, simpler shapes, and the incorporation of mixed media and collage techniques, such as in "Still Life with Chair Caning" (1912). Cubism fundamentally altered the trajectory of modern art, influencing countless artists and movements that followed.
In the years following Cubism, Picasso's work continued to evolve as he explored a variety of styles and themes. The Neoclassical Period of the 1920s saw a return to more traditional forms and classical influences, with an emphasis on monumental figures and mythological subjects, as demonstrated in "Three Women at the Spring" (1921). Concurrently, he engaged with Surrealism, producing more fantastical and dream-like imagery. The turmoil of the Spanish Civil War and World War II also profoundly impacted his work, leading to powerful political statements like "Guernica" (1937), a stark, monochromatic depiction of the horrors of war. In his later years, Picasso's style became even more eclectic, incorporating elements from all his previous phases, as well as new influences, continuing to innovate and create until his death in 1973. His lifelong dedication to reinvention and experimentation cemented his legacy as a central figure in the evolution of modern art.
My favourite artworks by Picasso were all produced in the final stage of his life in the South of France. I love the images and artworks in this phase of his life. In the final era, he produced work continuously, almost obsessively like he was trying to get out all of his artistic vision before the end. He was himself through and through, his work so distinctive it can be recognised by a single brush stroke.
My favourite documentaries:
Youtube: Pablo Picasso - A Primitive Soul