Who is Picasso?

Pablo Picasso was a Spanish artist who lived from 1881-1973 and is credited with being one of the greatest artists of the 20th century; he invented the Cubism style of painting and also contributed strongly to the Surrealism style of painting. He struggled as a student, but he ultimately focused on his art and, thus, he changed the way both artists and non-artists saw the world.

Picasso began to draw as a child, and he showed a talent for it very early on. As he got older, he began to feel confined by the rules and order of the structure of school. It was his talent alone that allowed him to continue to be accepted at some of the finest art preparatory schools in Europe. He discovered that his penchant for invention was desperately needed in the art world; he felt accepted enough to begin to push the definitions of painting techniques, methods, and traditions.

As a result, some of his most well-known paintings are The Old Guitarist, Three Musicians, Girl Before a Mirror, and The Three Dancers. He is also known for the various periods into which his art can be divided, for example: his Blue Period, his Rose Period, his Cubism period, and his Surrealism period.

Picasso's private life was complex and, like many genius artists, troubled. He was involved in a number of relationships throughout his life and earned the title of "womanizer." One of his wives committed suicide after his death, and another of his significant others (though he never married her) committed suicide during his lifetime. He fathered four children.

Picasso transformed the art world by continuing to challenge its status quo and invent new ways to express himself that were picked up and practiced by other artists both during his lifetime and afterward.