CDC- Artist Focus (Lesson)

Artist Focus: Pablo Picasso

One of the world's most renowned artists is Pablo Picasso. This module will feature many of his drawings, so understanding the artist is important to the study of Contour Drawing.

Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain in 1881. He died in 1973 at the age of 91 in the south of France.  And while he was given 23 words in his official name, he chose to use only his mother's name, Picasso. 

Photograph of Pablo Picasso, aged 81.

His First Words as a Child Foreshadowed His Future

While most children's first words are “mama” or “dada,” Picasso was a true artist right from the start. Picasso's mother said that his first word was “piz” which is short for lápiz — the Spanish word for pencil. It's no wonder that his family started his art education early!

Picasso, Pablo. Self-Portrait. 1907. Cubist style.

As a Child Prodigy, Picasso Finished His First Painting at Nine Years Old

Picasso's father José Ruiz y Blasco was a painter and art teacher who quickly picked up on the fact that his son was special. He began Picasso's art education at seven years old.

Picasso, Pablo. Portrait of Igor Stravinsky in profile. 1920.

Picasso's Father Gave Up Art After Seeing the Talents of His Son

Though Picasso's father was a skilled artist, teaching at the Barcelona School of Fine Arts, it's said that he was in great awe of his son's talent. Ruiz specialized in drawings of doves and pigeons and when Picasso was just 13 years old, his father walked in on him painting over Ruiz's unfinished sketch of a pigeon. He was so impressed by the work that he declared he would give up painting, as his son had surpassed him.

Picasso, Pablo. Weeping woman. 1937.

He is the World's Most Prolific Painter

With a career that lasted over 75 years, Picasso had plenty of time to create—and create he did. Picasso didn't just produce artwork, he oozed creativity and used every opportunity to produce material. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, he created 13,500 paintings and designs, 100,000 prints and engravings, 34,000 book illustrations, and 300 sculptures and ceramics. No other artist has come close to being so prolific during their lifetime.

Picasso, Pablo. Light Drawing, Vase of Flowers. 1949.

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