Picasso Research Paper Essay Example

period of his artistic career, Picasso's focus shifted to portraying outcasts and beggars using dark colors to evoke a sense of death. The somber tone in his artwork was largely influenced by the personal turmoil he experienced. It all began when Picasso's friend, Casagena, took his own life, plunging Picasso into a deep state of depression that had a direct impact on the emotions conveyed through his work. Picasso himself described his Blue Period art as being characterized by its "small and dark, intense and energetic" qualities. He acknowledged the presence of black and sardonic humor, albeit with a childlike touch, and a boldness that managed to encompass all forms of fear (Richardson 210).

Picasso's famous artworks during this period include Child with a Dove, The Blue Nude, and The Old Guitarist. By the time this period ended, Picasso decided to stay in Paris. As the Blue Period neared its end, Picasso entered a new era of his artwork called the Rose Period. Love in his life helped him overcome the deep despair of the Blue Period.

Picasso's work began to feature brighter colors, often incorporating pink and flesh-like shades. Portraits of clowns and harlequins became a common theme, with many speculating that these figures represented people in Picasso's life. He also incorporated his romantic relationships into his art, with one notable relationship being with Fernande Olivier. In these paintings reflecting his relationships, there was often an encoded message intended for the person depicted in the image.

Around 1909, a few years after the Rose Period, Picasso and another artist, named Braque, collaborated to create a new style of art called cubism. Initially, critics misinterpreted this style,

believing it to be merely a technique for producing various geometric patterns. However, it went beyond that and depicted multiple perspectives of an object within the same drawing, thereby revealing more about the subject. Cubism effectively deconstructed objects, space, light, shadows, and color. This artistic movement incorporated abstract elements, prompting a reconsideration of the meaning conveyed by two-dimensional elements (Biography).

com; McCully). Some famous examples of Picasso's cubism include Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Landscape with Bridge, among others. Picasso also created other works during and after his cubism era, such as his exploration of synthetic art starting around 1912.

During this period, the artist incorporated elements of color and playfulness into his work. He cleverly suggested that one object could resemble another, such as a guitar curve resembling an ear curve. Additionally, his art featured illusions, creating a sense of three-dimensionality on a two-dimensional surface (McCully).

Apart from his fine art, Picasso also dabbled in the performing arts. In 1916, he contributed to the production of Parade, a play that incorporated 20th-century ideas and inventions. The play gained significant popularity after its release. While in Rome for a performance, Picasso encountered Olga Kokholva, a dancer, and they developed a passionate romantic relationship. This newfound love inspired fresh concepts in Picasso's artistic endeavors. Notably, Picasso's connections with women held tremendous significance in shaping his work.

Each romantic partner Picasso had influenced his artwork. After marrying Olga Kokholva, the dancer from Parade, in July 1918, he noticed a consistent pattern in all his relationships that also affected his marriage. Picasso frequently engaged in extramarital affairs and disregarded Olga's feelings of frustration. At times, he would become excessively protective towards his wife,

going as far as confining her to their home whenever he had to leave. Furthermore, Olga suffered a leg injury and Picasso occasionally experienced guilt for his actions, although he later deluded himself by asserting that women's illnesses were solely their own fault.

According to Richardson (95), Picasso's art underwent a transformation from bright to dark due to the difficulties he faced. As time passed, Picasso's art became influenced by the events happening in the world. In particular, he started exploring surrealism in 1927 when the Surrealism Movement was happening. This led to new dimensions in his artwork and a focus on erotic and disturbing subjects and themes. The concept of metamorphosis also became prevalent.

A few years later, World War II arrived and Picasso produced Guernica, one of his most daring political artworks. In 1937, Nazi planes demolished Guernica, located in Picasso's homeland of Spain. The bombing resulted in the death of approximately 1600 innocent civilians, an event which deeply disturbed Picasso. Guernica, his painting, portrayed this horrific incident, evoking strong anti-fascist sentiments and transforming countless individuals' political perspectives.

Despite his declining popularity, Picasso remained dedicated to his craft and continued working diligently even in his later years. Although his triumphant period was coming to an end with Guernica, some of his last creations were highly esteemed for their profound emotional impact, demonstrating his unwavering commitment. One notable final masterpiece was a unique self-portrait that stood out among previous works in this genre. Picasso's artistic journey persisted until his passing on April 10, 1973. Throughout his lifetime, he played a significant role in shaping the perception of modern art and left an enduring influence on the art

world.

Picasso, a renowned artist, defied convention and carved his own unique path. In an article by Chris Nineham, Picasso declares himself a rebel, stating, "A painter is always at war with the world. Either he wants to crush it or conquer it, change it or celebrate it" (Socialist Review). Picasso effortlessly transitioned between different artistic styles, constantly introducing fresh concepts to the world.

Art underwent significant transformations with the introduction of techniques like color themes and cubism. These changes brought about new dimensions in modern art, and artists such as Altdorfer, Manet, Rembrandt, Delacroix, and Courbet frequently incorporated elements of Picasso's cubism into their own works. Furthermore, Picasso's artistic styles not only influenced modern art but also triggered political controversies through specific pieces. One such example is Guernica, which held immense political significance and sparked debates among viewers.

The painting of Guernica depicted the horrifying suffering caused by warfare in the town. The period of World War II was characterized by widespread fascism and dictatorship. While not overtly political propaganda, this artwork effectively changed people's perspectives on the war. It presented symbols opposing war and eventually garnered support for Spain after the bombing. According to Scott John's article, a tour was organized in America with the support of Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, Theodore Dreiser, and other notable American writers. This effort raised money for Republican forces and helped war refugees. The exhibition occurred in Washington D.C.

During the tour, a gala fundraiser was held with Eleanor Roosevelt and Simon Guggenheim. 100 people paid $5 to attend the event. In addition, a donation of fifty cents was collected from 2,000 individuals to support Spanish refugees throughout

the three-week exhibit. Picasso's single painting played a significant role in garnering this tremendous support for Spain after the Nazi attack. Being acknowledged as a genius of modern art in the 20th century, Picasso devoted his entire life to pursuing fine arts starting from childhood until his death. His artwork and artistic styles were greatly influenced by the various places he lived in, people he encountered, relationships he formed, and events he witnessed.

Throughout his artistic journey, Pablo Picasso's evolving techniques and boundless creativity garnered recognition. He became a source of inspiration for many artists who embraced his innovative ideas and incorporated them into their own work. The influence of Picasso's artwork extended beyond mere aesthetics, causing profound shifts in political and moral values among those who encountered it. Without Picasso's significant contributions, the realm of modern art would be drastically altered. Thanks to him, the world of fine arts has expanded and diversified immensely, all while recognizing Picasso as one of its foundational pillars.