Pablo Picasso (8)
Pablo Picasso, the OG of Cubism and an all-around artistic powerhouse, was a Spanish artist whose name is practically synonymous with modern art. Born in 1881 in MĂĄlaga, Picasso showed signs of genius from an early age.
Picassoâs career canât be summed up easily because he seemed to live multiple artistic lives. In his Blue Period, he painted somber, monochromatic works inspired by sadness and struggle. (Think The Old Guitaristâsad but gorgeous.) Then came his Rose Period, when he discovered pink tones, circus performers, and a slightly cheerier vibe.
But the big bang of his career? Cubism. Alongside Georges Braque, Picasso broke objects and figures into geometric shapes, creating works that made people squint and say, "Wait, is that a face?" His masterpiece Les Demoiselles dâAvignon was so revolutionary it practically caused an art world meltdown. Cubism changed everythingâperspective, form, and how we think about art itself.
Picasso didnât stop at Cubism. He experimented with Surrealism, Neoclassicism, and just about every "ism" you can think of. His works range from the playful (The Three Musicians) to the politically powerful (Guernica), a haunting anti-war statement that hits as hard today as it did in 1937.
Of course, Picassoâs personal life was as colorful as his paletteâfilled with muses, drama, and a knack for reinvention. Love him or loathe him, thereâs no denying he reshaped the art world. Picasso didnât just create art; he created movements, stirred controversies, and left a legacy so vast itâs practically its own galaxy.
