Pablo Picasso

Born: October 25, 1881
City and Country of Origin: Malaga, Spain
Painting School: Cubist
Art Training: drawing classes at La Lonja; Royal Academy of San Fernando in Madrid
Exhibitions: Cafe Els Quatre Gats (1897); Salon Pares (1901); Berthe Weill's, Paris (1902); second Exhibitions at Vollard's (1902)
Awards: medal in Madris and gold medal in Malaga (1898)
Major Works: "Aficionado," "Violin and Guitar, 1913," "Table in Front of the Window"
Pablo Picasso Biography: Pablo Picasso was born the son of an artist and art teacher from whom he received his first art training. In 1900 he settled in Paris and opened a studio. After visiting Barcelona he returned to Paris in 1904 a few years before the end of his "Blue Period" which was initiated by the suicide of his friend Casagemas. He made numerous visits to the Circus Medrano with his new girl friend, model Fernande Olivier. These visits would serve as inspiration for his circus paintings. In 1907 he painted is first Cubist painting Les demoiselles d’Avignon. His new friend Georges Braque was so impressed that the 2 young artists would work together over the next several years developing the Cubist style of painting. Both of their works from this period are very similar. In 1917, while designing the decor for a ballet he met and fell in love with Russian ballerina Olga Koklova. In 1918 they were married. Around this time Picasso began to move away from Cubism and to explore new horizons.
Died: April 8, 1973