Everyone in the world today knows the mane of Picasso – one of the greatest artists of the 20^th century whose works created a stir in the entire universe. He is also the co-creator of Cubism.

Fact 1 There is something in his name

Pablo Picasso is the name that everyone is familiar with. But his actual name was Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Crispiniano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso as given by his mother. His father was Don José Ruiz Blasco, and his mother was Doña Maria Picasso Lopez. His father was an art teacher and a painter. Picasso’s mother had high hopes for her son and gave him the freedom to do whatever he liked best.

Fact 2 Early days

Pablo was born in Malaga, Spain on the 25^th of October 1881. Right from his childhood he was serious and thought about the world. His keen eyes showed sparks of greatness from an early age. It is surprising to know that the first thing that he said was to ask for a pencil and who else could request such a thing other than this great artist. When he was 14, the family moved to Barcelona, Spain and there he took admission in the best School of Fine Arts there by dint of his extra-ordinary talent he showed in the entrance examination. But the restricted system of school life was not meant for him and he soon wandered about the streets of Barcelona, sketching all that drew his attention especially the city scenes. His intense urge to learn and create and the passion for art and drawing was always with him. He started learning oil painting and figure drawing formally in 1890. Since his father was also a painter, he was born with this extra-ordinary talent.

Fact 3 Influence of his sister and his exceptional talent

When Picasso was only 13 years old, his sister just a 7 years child passed away and this left behind a deep scar in Pablo’s mind. He became more engrossed in his drawings and art and started taking formal education also. He was a child prodigy to his parents. He started drawing even before he could talk. Perhaps great men happen to be like this. He excelled over his father at 13 years age and happy at this his father gave up painting and handed over his art tools to Picasso.

Fact 4 Painting style of Picasso

If you follow closely, you will find that Picasso constantly changed his style of painting. When he was in his teens, he often drew landscapes and realistic portraits. During 1901 to 1906 there was a great change in his style. He depicted scenes of poverty-stricken children and circus scenes. A distorted portrait of five prostitutes “Les Demoiselles d’ Avignon” became the most revolutionary pieces in 1907. This was the beginning of Cubism – an abstract style in which subjects are portrayed in geometric forms. He started the collage form of art and use of colors was more prominent.

Fact 5 A Unique Character

Picasso was not merely a painter but a talent of various dimensions. His experimented with different mediums including ceramics, print-making and sculpture. He even designed the sets of a ballet and costumes and also the curtains between 1917 and 1924. He wrote poetry in 1935 and was the author of two plays as well during the 1940s. The aftermath of World War II intrigued him in becoming a politician and he joined the Communist Party and he was the receiver of the Lenin Peace Prize in 1950 and again in 1961.

Picasso continued with his creation till he breathed his last on the 8^th of April, 1973 at the age of 91 in Mougins in France.