Published On: September 23, 2022811 words4.2 min read

The Upcoming 50th Anniversary of Picasso’s Passing

In April of 1973, renowned artist Pablo Picasso passed away. He left behind a world that was forever impacted by his artistry.  Born in Spain, but spending most of his life in France, Picasso is known for creating more than 20,000 works of art.  

From drawings and ceramics, to theater sets and costumes, to say that Picasso inspired artists around the world would be an understatement.  To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Picasso’s passing, let’s learn a bit about the artist and his art.

Cubism

According to Musée Picasso Paris, it was in 1907 that Picasso and Georges Braque first met.  As the creators of cubism, they were to remain friends for many years.  

“While experimenting with Cubism, Picasso and Braque invented specific shapes and characteristic details that would represent the whole object or person. They analyzed the subject and broke it down into basic structures from one viewpoint to another. By using various planes and a muted palette of color, the artwork was focused on representational structure rather than distracting details.” –  ThoughtCo.

From 1909-1912, cubism would evolve into what is seen as its second stage. “Analytical cubism” was adopted by various artists.  This would not remain as the only thing that Braque and Picasso had in common.

Collage

Throughout their time of friendship, both Picasso and Braque came to be known for their technique of papier collés. Also known as paper collage, Braque would continue to experiment with this form of artwork. He would eventually use advertisement cut-outs in the pieces.  This is closer to the format of collage that many of us are first taught.

“Still-life with Chair Caning” Picasso, 1912

“Variation does not mean evolution.  If an artist varies his mode of expression this only means that he has changed his manner of thinking, and in changing, it may be for the better or it may be for the worse.”- Pablo Picasso, 1923

Many times, Picasso would use newspapers and wallpapers for his collages.  According to Musee Picasso Paris, for “Still-life with Chair Caning” (pictured above), he used an assortment of materials.  A piece of rope was placed around the oval-shaped canvas.  An oil cloth printed with a cane-chair pattern, newspaper, pipe, glass, lemon slice, knife and scallop were also used.  

War Influences

In August of 1914, Picasso was living in Avignon, France. The war itself was not officially named as an influence on his artwork at this time.  Picasso knew that it would be interpreted as odd. For such an important part of history to be omitted from his art, there must be a reason.  According to Deutsche Welle, when questioned about this, Picasso replied, 

“I have not painted the war, because I am not the kind of painter who goes out like a photographer looking for something to depict. But I have no doubt that the war is in these paintings I have done”. – Deutsche Welle (DW)

However, it’s clear that it did have a large impact on his work.  The same can be said about the influence his art had on the war.  For example, think of cubism, once again.  It looks quite similar to a soldier’s camouflage, does it not? 

It was also at this time that Picasso began painting naturalistically. This would cause people to wonder if he had ended his period of cubism.  This wasn’t exactly the case.  Instead, he would go back and forth between styles. 

Just as it was during World War I, the Spanish Civil War of 1936 had an influence on his work. Guernica, in particular, depicts the bombing of Basque on April 26, 1937.  After it had been shown in Paris, Guernica toured the world. In the end, it concluded its travels to spend 42 years at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).  It is even said that Jackson Pollock would go to the museum specifically to observe the piece.

[Read:  15 Fascinating Facts About Picasso’s Guernica]

The World Without Picasso

via DW

Since the time of his passing, one must wonder how Picasso would interpret the world today.  What art pieces would be created with our current world being his muse?  While it would be impossible to know the answer, one thing is sure. We should feel fortunate to have the existing work of Pablo Picasso.

Is there a piece of artwork by Picasso that you love?  Or, perhaps, there is other artwork that you have always wished you could have in your home.  Whatever the case may be, contact Newport Brushstrokes.  By speaking to one of their professionals, you’ll be well on your way to owning the perfect piece of art for your space.