Pablo Ruiz Picasso, née Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso, born in Málaga, Spain.
Painter, sculptor, ceramicist, poet and stage designer.
***Picasso with his Mountain dog
named "Bob", late 1920's early 1930's ...
Pablo's father José Ruiz y Blasco was a Professor at an Art school and a curator at the local museum. His mother María Picasso y López was mainly a housewife, the parents also specialised in breeding birds. The children were raised in a humble environment. At an early childhood, the family believed that Picasso was born with a special Artistic gift "Duende" meaning in Spanish tradition like a genius, prodigy however at the same time "a state of tragedy-inspired ecstasy" that comes from inside as a physical/emotional response to art.
One of Pablo's first words apparently was "piz, piz" , in short for "Lápiz" meaning pencil in Spanish. At an early age of 8 years old his sold his first painting, then at 9 years old he had his own workshop. Eventually, as an early teenager, was enrolled, accepted and entered at Barcelo School of Art during a particular time when the minimum age of entry was 18 years old. Later in time, Picasso's father and uncle decided to enroll him at a higher level of education whereby he was accepted and entered the prestigious institution "Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando" in Madrid. Picasso, eventually decided at 18 years old to leave studies and headed straight to Paris with his friend Carlos Casa James. The time in Paris led to a tragic experience and event as Carlos, unfortunately, committed suicide, leaving Picasso shocked and alone to mourn, in a big city. Some strongly believe that said tragic situation in his personal life may have encouraged Pablo to begin and create several series of paintings in Blue, leading to "The Blue Period" ...
Picasso's works of Art are divided into several periods, these are as follows:
The Blue from 1903 to 1905
The Rose from 1905 to 1906
Cubism from 1907 to 1925
Neo Plasticism from 1920 to 1930
Surrealism from 1926 onwards
In 1911, Picasso was one of Artists who was seriously investigated and questioned regarding the theft of painting "La Gioconda" Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci from "Le Louvre" Museum in Paris. Picasso was accordingly cleared from all charges as the man in question, an Italian who worked at the museum as a security guard and believed that the painting had to return to Italy, was found and "La Gioconda" returned to the museum. Later years, Picasso became one of first living Artist to have an exposition dedicated at "Le Louvre".
During the 1920's, a particular marvellous period in Montmartre Paris, the place to be whereby all sorts of Artists from all walks of the world would live and or constantly meet and further assisted to revolutionise Art. Some of Picasso's friends, from Ballet Russes, Gabrielle Chanel, Jean Cocteau, Pierre Reverdy, Juan Gris, Max Jacob to Modigliani exchanged and enhanced more ideas. More over, The Count Étienne de Beaumont further assisted and encouraged Artists as he organised several theme Balls in his Hotel de Masseran some were "Bal des Jeux, Bal de la Mer, Bal des Entrées de d'Opéra, Bal Louis XIV" . Glorious, luxurious events where musicians, performers, costume designers, stage sets, make up artists, accessories where exclusively created in great detail for each event. Picasso also assisted in some creations of stage sets and paintings for The Count's famous "Soirées de Paris".
Later years, in 1937 Picasso acquired a studio in "Rue des Grands Augustin, 6 me arrondissement". It has been mentioned that Picasso met a young, self confident artist named Françoise Gilot at restaurant near by his apartment. Most believed that Gilot did not give the impression of being intimidated by his presence. She was quite independent, had her strong opinions and he appreciated her views. They shared had a solid link regarding art, had an age gap of forty years, Gilot was at the very beginning of her career as a Artist whilst Pixasso was already well established.
When the war was finally over, later in time, Picasso left Paris along with Françoise and headed to the southern coast of France "La Cote d'Azur" in 1946. There, they were welcomed and allowed to live in Château Grimaldi, Antibes. A new happy life began, more pleasant weather, relaxing life style, a positive change for them to live near the sea side. Thus a new influence towards Picasso's works of art.
It is well known and some details are highly documented that Picasso also enjoyed the presence of Pets, owned several different sorts of animals like cats, dogs, birds, goats and these were included in his works of Art.
One day, Francoise found outside in their garden a small rather weak owl, she took it home and they both decided to take care of the little bird. Picasso was so pleased to help this poor creature recover, little by little. The cute owl became a pet and part of their life, part of his inspirations for creating another collection of paintings, ceramics and other works of art pieces.
Picasso's owned several animals, all sorts of breeds. For instance, a Mountain dog called "Bob", Dalmatian dog "Perro", a goat "Esmeralda" and a boxer dog "Jan" . The love for birds continued from his childhood through out his life as he owned several. Furthermore, one of his daughter's name "Paloma" meaning bird in Spanish and Picasso's "Dove of Peace" became famous as it was chosen as an International Peace Emblem in 1949.
A small Dachshund dog named "Lump or Lumpito" also became an international famous pet as Picasso created several drawings, from one single line.
The story of "Lump / Lumpito" a cute puppy born in 1956 Germany and adopted by a photographer, journalist named David Douglas Duncan. Duncan went to visit Picasso at his house "Villa La Californie" in Cannes, France. Then a wonderful collaboration began between them of which lasted around 6 years. In 1957, Duncan brought Lump with him to stay at Picasso's house, it marked an extraordinary experience for all. Lumpito, apparently, integrated really well with Picasso's family however in the beginning found it difficult to get along with other animals in the house, perhaps one of the reasons was that Lumpito was accepted to be mostly indoors with Picasso. Lumpito, sometimes, brought little stones to play with Picasso in and or outside the house. Duncan travelled several times and left Lumpito with Picasso, one time upon his return Duncan found that Lumpito was at the local Veterinarian seriously unwell due spinal condition problems. Duncan, did not want to give up and quickly took Lumpito to another expert in Germany, then eventually after weeks of healing and proper recovery Lumpito returned to Picasso to the end of his life. This adorable, cute, little Daschound further inspired Piscasso to create several other Art pieces duly dedicated to Lumpito ...
Picasso, not only was greatly involved in several peace movements, his works are extremely important as he assisted inventions in collage and Cubism Movement along with Georges Braque, based on the idea of painting an object like a three dimensional piece. Furthermore, revolutionized new techniques through his different works of art through his paintings, graphics, sculptures and ceramics throughout his lifetime.
Pablo Picasso, shall remain in our hearts as one of the greatest Artists of the 20th Century. A gentleman who apparently was quite charming, had a black humour and naturally enjoyed making others laugh.
"God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style, He just goes on trying other things" Pablo Ruiz Picasso.
*** Below, short interview with Picasso in France ...
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*** Further below, recent discovery, hidden images of a dog in Picasso's painting
"Le Moulin de la Galette" duly completed in 1900 ...
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