Pablo Picasso was an innovative artist that had a significant influence on 20th-century art. The adept artist was a master painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramics artist and more. His styles include Cubism and Surrealism, and he is often considered one of the most famous artists of the century.

Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born on October 26, 1881, in Malaga, Spain. His father was a professor in the School of Arts and Crafts and often took him to bullfights which would influence much of his art throughout his career. It is said that Picasso learned to draw before he could speak. Picasso studied the works and styles of many Spanish artists including Francisco Goya, El Greco, and Diego Velázquez.
At the beginning of the 1900s, Picasso moved to Paris, France to open his own studio. He was lonely and depressed after the death of a close friend, which ignited what is now known as his “Blue Period”. A few years later, Picasso started the “Rose Period”, which introduced warmer colors to his works. Picasso is commonly known as the pioneer of Cubism, in which objects are broken apart and reassembled in an abstracted form; it is destructive and creative. Cubism shocked, appalled and fascinated the art world.

In the mid-1920s, Picasso expressed himself through Surrealism, which was often violent or erotic. Critics often note changes in Picasso’s work often coincided with changes in his romantic relationships. Throughout the 1930s and ’40s, Picasso became more involved in politics, especially during the Spanish Civil War and World War II and although Picasso did not have to serve in the military, he was still affected by these events. His Paris painting collection was confiscated by Nazis and some of his closest Jewish friends were killed. During this time, he created the infamous Guernica and began sculpting with metal.

Picasso’s later works include his own versions of masterpieces by his idols and portrait-based paintings. He also experimented with creating ceramic and bronze sculptures. He died of a heart attack in the South of France in 1973.

Pablo Picasso is commonly known as one of the most pivotal influences on the course of 20th-century art. His variety of styles and capability of mixing them has certified him as a legend in the art world. He is publicly viewed as an idol and genius of modern art. Martin Lawrence Galleries is honored to have select Pablo Picasso pieces in our inventory. Click here to see more Pablo Picasso artwork.