pablo picasso

First a few background details, born 25 October 1881, in Malaga, Spain. One of the best known figures in 20th century art, he has become somewhat of an icon for ingenuity and creativity. Best known for his co-founding of the cubist movement and for the wide variety of styles in his work. Died in 1973, (the year I was born, no connection).

There have been volumes written about his work, his motivations, his influences and how they all dovetailed together in the extraordinary tapestry that was this short, stout, rather ugly looking man’s life. The life of pablo picasso. I mean those words in the sincerest form. As there was nothing terribly amazing about the actual person in isolation, but his life story becomes extraordinary when the paintings are taken into the equation. Art has a way of raising the ordinary into a different realm, which is, possibly, its primary objective, if it was to have one. pablo picasso is for many the quintessential artistic genius and it this aspect of his life that I feel intrigued by. The notion of genius, and the role he had to play in the development of that talent and the lessons it holds out to all of us, no matter what our chosen fields are.

Was he a genius?

In my opinion, yes he was. I think he worked hard and was dedicated to his passion and he pursued it with a single minded drive that was truly admirable. I don’t think he was born a genius, but rather he was born into an environment, (his father was an artist of quality and standing), that sustained and encouraged his ongoing development. In a sense he knew of nothing else, and was perfectly validated in his choice to be an artist. This was invaluable to his growth and strong self belief.

What is a genius?

I think most people would agree that yes there is an inherent talent, but that talent will never come to anything without hard work and dedication on the part of possessor. Such was the case with pablo picasso. He was also a man of his time, he lived his life in a very contemporary setting, he dialogued with the great artists of the time and he had his finger always on the pulse of what was new and emerging in the art world of Paris, which was the global cultural center in the western hemisphere.

In many respects he was lucky, but he had made a clear decision to make it his business to be there, for that very reason. Does that mean we should all set up in attics in downtown New York? Maybe. If that’s what turns you on and you’d feel would help your work. Personally speaking, I’d be far too homesick : )

Another aspect of pablo picasso’s life that I find intriguing was his ability to borrow liberally from all aspects of life around him, especially from his fellow artists and incorporate it into his own work. Matisse remarked after one of pablo picasso’s visits that the ‘he came, saw what he wanted and then left’. We all have such friends. (If you don’t then you’re probably the one doing the appropriating)

He made no apologies or acknowledgement for this. He was blinkered in his pursuit. His pursuit of the idea. Pursuing was probably his passion and what he excelled at, both in romance and in art making.