Pablo Picasso

From Child Prodigy to Most Influential Artist of the 20th Century

creative
Pablo Picasso

Net Worth

$500M

Born

October 25, 1881 (died age 92)

Country

Spain

Occupation

Artist, Painter, Sculptor

Gender

male

Generation

Greatest Generation

Marital Status

married

Children

4

Single Parent Household

No

Education

Bachelor's

University

Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando

Industries

creative

Wealth Category

multi-millionaire

Wealth Origin

self-made

First-Gen Wealth

Yes

Immigrant

Yes

Overcame

  • Sister died when he was 13; deeply traumatic
  • Struggled financially during Blue Period
  • Lived through Spanish Civil War and both World Wars
  • Faced criticism for not returning to Spain under Franco

Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, and artist who co-founded Cubism and transformed modern art more than any other figure. Over a 75-year career, he produced an estimated 50,000 artworks including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and prints. His works now sell for over $100 million, and his influence on art is immeasurable.

Career Timeline

1881

Born in Málaga, Spain

1895 Age 13
Turning Point

Sister Conchita died; family moved to Barcelona

1897 Age 16
Milestone

Entered Royal Academy of San Fernando, Madrid

1900 Age 19
Turning Point

First trip to Paris; exposed to Impressionism

1901 Age 20
Milestone

Blue Period begins; paintings of poverty and isolation

1904 Age 23
Turning Point

Rose Period begins; met Fernande Olivier

1907 Age 26
Milestone

Painted Les Demoiselles d'Avignon; birth of modern art

1909 Age 28
Milestone

Developed Cubism with Georges Braque

1917 Age 36
Milestone

Met Stravinsky; designed ballet Parade for Diaghilev

1937 Age 56
Milestone

Painted Guernica in response to Spanish Civil War bombing

1967 Age 86
Achievement

Refused French Legion of Honor

1973 Age 91

Died in Mougins, France

Notable Quotes

"Every act of creation is first an act of destruction."

— Interview, 1943

"Art is a lie that makes us realize truth."

— Interview, 1923

"Good artists copy, great artists steal."

— Interview, 1934

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."