Early Life and Background
- Pablo Picasso's Birth and Early Naming:
- Born on October 25, 1881, in Malaga, Spain.
- Full name: Pablo Diego Jose Francisco de Paula Juan Nepu Molcano Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santissima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso.
- Naming convention in Hispanic countries includes both parents' surnames; typically, the father's surname is used for short.
"He would have been known simply as Pablo Ruiz. Picasso was actually his mother's maiden name."
- Family and Upbringing:
- Family belonged to the Spanish middle class, a rare demographic in Spain characterized by extremes of wealth and poverty.
- Father, Don Jose, was a painter and teacher who recognized Pablo's talent early and eventually stopped painting, acknowledging his son's superior skills.
- Complex relationship with his father, who was both a mentor and a perceived weak figure once Picasso surpassed him.
- Uncomplicated, adoring relationship with his mother, who showered him with love and affection.
"His mother, however, stood quite apart. The relationship between them was uncomplicated love on either side with some mixture of adoration on hers."
- Early Artistic Talent:
- First words were "pencil" in Spanish, indicating an early inclination towards art.
- Surpassed his father in artistic skill by his teens, leading to a complicated dynamic between them.
"Don Jose, that's his father, was a good teacher with a considerable share of technical knowledge. And later, when he found that he could teach him no more, he ceremonially handed his brushes over to the boy and never painted again."
Education and Artistic Development
- Schooling and Artistic Focus:
- Poor student in subjects other than art; often left school early.
- Admitted to the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona at a young age, excelling and quickly outgrowing the curriculum.
- Moved to Madrid at 16, where he also excelled in the School of Fine Arts.
"Accounts vary, but he finishes the assignment well ahead of time. I've seen some people say that applicants were given a month and he finished in a week. Others have said applicants were given a week and he finished it in a few hours. But everyone agrees that he aces the entrance exam and is a star student at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona."
- Early Artistic Output:
- Produced high-quality work as a teenager, some verging on masterpieces.
- Known for excursions to the countryside to paint, similar to how Arnold Schwarzenegger would isolate himself to lift weights.
"They went as far as the mule could go, made a fire, and camped for the night in the open air. The next day, carrying their easels and color boxes, Picasso and Polaris climbed up through the forest and eventually found their cave. Here they stayed for weeks and weeks, painting, drawing, and walking about."
Rise to Prominence
- Barcelona and the Quatregatz:
- Became a leading figure in the modernist movement in Barcelona, meeting at the famous cafe Quatregatz.
- Recognized as a leader due to sheer talent, despite being one of the youngest artists there.
"When he was 18, penniless and unknown, he was accepted as a leading figure at the Quatregatz, even by those who disliked him."
- Move to Paris:
- Paris was the center of modernist art, prompting Picasso to move to Montparnasse.
- Lived in poverty, supported by subsidies from home, and ate very little.
"As far as food was concerned, he was naturally abstemious. And although he smoked continually, he drank little wine, and his aperitif was mineral water."
The Blue Period
- Trigger and Characteristics:
- Started after the suicide of his friend Casa Gemas in 1901.
- Paintings from this period are predominantly blue and often somber, reflecting melancholy but also a fascination with the color itself.
"The blue period runs from 1901 to 1904. The paintings are often somber and almost always use blue as the predominant color, hence blue, period. But it's a mistake to think of it as one long depressive episode."
Summary
- Picasso's early life was marked by a strong artistic influence from his father and great emotional support from his mother.
- His exceptional talent was evident from a young age, leading to early admission and success in fine arts schools.
- His rise in the art world was driven by his undeniable skill, leading to leadership roles in artistic circles.
- The Blue Period marked a significant phase in his artistic development, characterized by both emotional depth and technical fascination with the color blue.
Picasso's Influences and Social Circle
- Picasso was heavily influenced by the French painter Cezanne and also acknowledged influences from van Gogh and Matisse.
- He disliked mentioning influences, believing a painting should stand on its own merit.
- In Paris, he found his "tribe" among writers more than painters, forming a core social scene that inspired him.
"His friends in Paris were writers rather than painters. Why have painters for friends when he could paint as he could paint? It was obvious that he did not need to have painters in his daily life. And this was true all his life. He needed ideas. Anybody does. But not ideas for painting. No, he had to know those who were interested in ideas. But as to knowing how to paint, he was born knowing all of that."
- Picasso sought intellectual stimulation from writers and thinkers rather than technical painting tips from other painters.
The Rose Period (1904-1906)
- Marked by the dominant use of the color rose, reflecting a more settled and comfortable social scene.
- This period is not characterized by a single emotion; paintings could be both cheerful and somber.
- The style during this period continued the modernist trajectory, leaning towards impressionism.
The Primitivist Movement (1907)
- Picasso's work became more abstract and two-dimensional.
- There was a significant debate about the influence of African art on Picasso's work during this time.
- Picasso denied direct influence but acknowledged the broader impact of African tribal art on the Parisian art scene.
Name Transition and Significance
- Picasso transitioned from signing his paintings as Ruiz or Ruiz Picasso to Pablo Picasso.
- This change was likely more about uniqueness than a rejection of his father.
- The name "Picasso" is rare and helped set him apart, reinforcing his sense of being unique and special.
"The real significance of this unusual, striking name is that it had at least some influence in setting its owner slightly apart, of making him feel that he was not quite the same as other people, a feeling that was to be reinforced by several other factors, quite apart from that isolating genius, which soon made it almost impossible for him to find any equals."
- The unique name contributed to his sense of individuality and exceptionalism.
Work Ethic and Prolific Output
- Picasso was one of the hardest-working artists, maintaining a high level of output throughout his life.
- He viewed painting as habitual and essential, akin to breathing.
"Picasso was one of the hardest working painters, sculptors, draftsmen, etchers that ever lived. Where do I get this power of creating and forming? I don't know. I have only one work. I paint just as I breathe. When I work, I relax. Doing nothing or entertaining visitors makes me tired. It's still often three in the morning before I switch off my light."
- Picasso’s relentless work ethic and obsession with painting contributed to his prolific output and high-quality work.
Work Environment and Focus
- Picasso had a chaotic but highly focused work environment, ignoring comfort for the sake of productivity.
"I usually found him in the middle of the studio near the stove, sitting on a rickety chair, rather a low one, as I remember. The discomfort did not worry him in the least. He fixed the canvas on the lowest notch of the easel, which forced him to bend almost double as he painted. If he had to look attentively at the palette, it was on the floor, a mass of white in the middle of other colors, mostly blue, dotted around the edge. He still kept a sideways eye upon the canvas. His concentration never left either. Both were in his field of vision, and he took in both at the same time."
- Picasso’s intense focus and disregard for comfort illustrate his dedication to his craft.
Setting Apart Time for Work
- Picasso’s work was sacred to him, and he set apart time and space specifically for painting.
"Someone asked him why he didn't paint any religious art, and his answer was, 'What do you mean by religious art? It's an absurdity. How can you make religious art one day and another kind the next?'"
- For Picasso, all painting was sacred, and he approached it with a sense of reverence and dedication.
Attitude Towards Money and Completion
- Picasso recognized the need to make money but had a complex relationship with it.
- He disliked selling his paintings and preferred to keep them, feeling they were "alive" until completed.
"He actually didn't like to sell his paintings. He grew attached to them, and he preferred to keep them when possible and got annoyed when he heard of buyers reselling them. In fact, he hated to finish paintings because as long as they were unfinished, they were alive. But as soon as he was finished, they were done. He referred to them as dead."
- Picasso’s reluctance to finish and sell paintings underscores his deep attachment to his work.
Social Life and Inspiration
- Despite his intense work habits, Picasso was very social and enjoyed carousing, which contributed to his inspiration and vitality.
"He loved to carouse, to be social to talk with friends, to visit music halls, to party, basically. And I think people who plan out their days by the minute and don't make any time for fun are not only unhappy, but are not on the path to greatness."
- Balancing work with social activities and fun was crucial for Picasso’s creativity and overall well-being.
Influence of Surroundings and Peers
- Being surrounded by other great artists and intellectuals in Paris was significant for Picasso’s development and innovation.
"For him, it was very important to be surrounded by these other great artists."
- The environment and community of artists in Paris played a critical role in shaping Picasso’s work and ideas.
Picasso's Versatility and Search for New Styles
- Picasso was known for his ability to adapt and mimic various artistic styles.
- His versatility was a hallmark of his work, constantly searching for something new.
- He was known to take long walks through Paris, which he found essential for his creative process.
"He's sort of working through the popular styles. He's one of the best painters. He can copy almost anyone. You know, if someone says, do a Matisse, he can quickly sit down and do a passable pastiche of Matisse."
- Picasso's ability to adapt to various styles was unparalleled, showcasing his versatility.
"Another thing worth pointing out about this time period is that, you know, he was a horrible student, as I said. Well, he was also just horrible at most things other than painting."
- Picasso's focus on painting was so intense that it overshadowed other aspects of his life.
"Nietzsche said that all truly great thoughts are conceived while walking."
- Walking was a significant part of Picasso's creative process, a trait shared by other great achievers.
Picasso's Daily Life and Support System
- Picasso struggled with everyday tasks, often needing assistance from lovers and agents.
- His genius in art was contrasted by his ineptitude in daily life activities.
"The hand that could model the most satisfying statue of a goat known to man could only, with the greatest reluctance, be brought to make a parcel."
- Picasso's artistic genius did not translate to practical skills in daily life.
"Geniuses like Picasso often need to be protected and taken care of because their minds are so consumed with their work that they struggle with the duties of day to day life."
- The necessity of support systems for geniuses to focus solely on their creative work.
Transition to Cubism
- Picasso's shift to cubism marked a significant milestone in his career.
- "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" is considered the first cubist work, though it was not a complete statement of cubism.
"A painting called Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is generally considered to be the first cubist work by Picasso, or by anyone, for that matter."
- This painting marked the beginning of cubism and showcased Picasso's innovative approach.
"He called some chosen friends to his studio, wishing to communicate this message from another world whose aesthetics were based not on conventional beauty, still less on anecdote, prettiness or charm, but on some great force."
- Picasso's cubist work was initially met with shock and confusion, even among modern artists.
Picasso's Refusal to Explain Cubism
- Picasso believed that art should stand on its own merits and did not provide explanations for his work.
- His refusal to explain cubism added to its mystery and allure.
"When we invented cubism, we had no intention whatsoever of inventing cubism. We simply wanted to express what was in us."
- Picasso's focus was on expression rather than defining or explaining the movement.
"If anyone actually didn't know not to ask him the stuff and did ask him, hey, what does this mean? He would answer with non sequiturs, with riddles, with just... He would troll them, essentially."
- Picasso's playful and mocking responses to inquiries about his work.
Understanding Cubism
- Cubism is often described as representing perspective and time, showing objects from multiple angles simultaneously.
- The movement marked a departure from realistic rendering to capturing the essence of subjects with minimal information.
"The stock explanation, if you like, go to Wikipedia, that you get about cubism, is that it represents perspective and time. So you're able to see an object through space and time by seeing it from multiple perspectives simultaneously."
- Cubism's goal was to depict objects from various perspectives, challenging traditional notions of representation.
"For most of time, the history of art is the history of trying to more realistically render the real world. That is why da Vinci was so revolutionary."
- The historical context of art striving for realistic representation and how cubism diverged from this path.
"Rather than trying to faithfully render things, the objective is to deconstruct reality, to capture the essence of something, the artistic merit of it, the emotion, by rendering it less realistically."
- Cubism's focus on deconstructing reality to capture the essence and emotion of subjects.
The Impact and Legacy of Cubism
- Cubism was initially unpopular but grew to become a highly influential movement in art.
- Its controversy and mystery contributed to its allure and success.
"Well, whatever its intention, cubism is deeply unpopular at first, as you just heard. But of course, it is a subject of great curiosity from fellow artists who are trying to understand it."
- The initial unpopularity and subsequent curiosity surrounding cubism.
"I also think that, as I said, its mystery was a part of its allure. I also think its controversy, its unpopularity is a part of the point. It challenges you."
- The role of mystery and controversy in the success and influence of cubism.
The Essence of Cubism
- Cubism aimed to strip away superfluous details to reveal the core essence of subjects.
- It was part of a broader movement in art to move away from realism and explore new forms of expression.
"By avoiding the superfluous, you can see more clearly into the heart, the meaning of a subject. Right. I'm stripping away everything else. By communicating the minimum possible visual information, you can see straight into the heart of the thing."
- The philosophy behind cubism's minimalistic approach to capturing the essence of subjects.
"Obrien refers to it as, 'an anarchist bomb tossed into western European painting.'"
- Cubism's radical departure from traditional art forms and its disruptive impact on the art world.
Cubism: Picasso's Major Innovation
- Cubism was Picasso's significant artistic innovation.
- He experimented with other styles, including surrealism, but did not master or innovate them as he did with cubism.
- Cubism gained popularity in artistic circles through the 1910s and early 1920s.
"Cubism is the major innovation of Picasso's life, and he would never have another one like it."
- Picasso's primary contribution to art was his development of cubism.
Guernica and Political Art
- "Guernica" was painted in response to the massacre during the Spanish Civil War.
- The painting represents Picasso's first explicit political statement.
- Picasso released a statement condemning the Spanish conflict and fascism while working on Guernica.
"The Spanish conflict is reactions fight against the people, against freedom. My whole life as an artist has been nothing but one unceasing war against reaction and against the death of art."
- Picasso explicitly opposed fascism and expressed his political stance through "Guernica."
"Picasso kept nodding his head as I spoke. Yes, he said, the bull there represents brutality, the horse, the people. Yes, there I use symbolism, but not in the others."
- Picasso used symbolism in "Guernica" to convey the brutality and suffering caused by war.
Picasso During World War II
- Picasso chose to stay in Paris during the German occupation.
- He did not participate in armed resistance or heroic actions during the war.
- He continued to paint under harsh conditions and joined the Communist Party, although his involvement was marked by mutual distrust and disappointment.
"My joining the Communist Party is the logical outcome of my whole life and of the whole body of my work."
- Picasso's statement upon joining the Communist Party reflects his belief in using art to understand the world and promote freedom.
Post-War Activities and Personal Life
- After the war, Picasso explored various mediums like sculpture, pottery, and illustrations.
- He continued to innovate in his painting, though not to the extent of cubism.
- Picasso's personal life was tumultuous, characterized by possessive and controlling behavior in relationships.
"From this time onwards, he repeatedly revolutionized his own painting, drawing, and sculpture. But these were personal revolutions, since, by definition, he could not throw down what was already laid in ruins."
- Picasso continued to revolutionize his art on a personal level after the war.
Picasso's Fame and Legacy
- Post-war, Picasso became widely famous beyond artistic circles.
- His reputation was more significant than any individual painting.
- Picasso's greatest creation was his own persona and mystique, achieved through his unique style and strategic silence.
"Before the war, he had been a very well-known painter, famous, at least by name, among all Europeans who knew anything about art."
- Picasso's fame grew significantly after World War II, making him a household name.
"I myself, since cubism and even before, have satisfied these masters and critics with whatever bizarre extravagances passed through my head. And the less they understood, the more they admired me."
- Picasso understood and exploited the public's reactions to his art, creating a mystique around his persona.
Picasso's Work Ethic and Death
- Picasso was prolific, producing over 15,000 paintings and numerous sculptures, engravings, and drawings.
- He had a lifelong phobia of death and avoided discussing or depicting it.
- Picasso died suddenly in 1973, after a life dedicated to his art.
"He was a man who never stopped working all his life, whose output has been estimated at over 15,000 paintings, to say nothing of his sculpture, engravings, and countless drawings."
- Picasso's dedication to his work was unwavering throughout his life.
"Make a toast to me. Make a toast to my health. I can't drink anymore. And now I must go back to work."
- Picasso's last words reflect his relentless dedication to his art until his final moments.