“We all know that Art is not Truth. Art is a Lie that makes us realize the Truth, at least the Truth that is given to us to understand”
– Pablo Picasso.
BIOGRAPHY
Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain, on 25 October 1881, he was the first child born in the family. His father worked as an artist, and was also a professor at the school of fine arts; he also worked as a curator for the museum in Malaga. Pablo is one of the most influential painters and artists of his time, he is also one of the most recognized figures of the 20th century.
EARLY LIFE
Pablo Picasso studied under his father for one year, and later joined the Academy of Arts for one year, prior to moving to Paris. In 1901 he went to Paris, where he found the ideal place to practice new styles, and experiment with a variety of art forms. It was during these initial visits, that he began his work in surrealism and cubism styles, which he was the founder of, and created many distinct pieces which were influenced by these art forms.
Collection of work
Pablo Picasso is recognized as the world’s most prolific painter. His career spanned over a 78-year period, in which he created: 13,500 paintings, 100,000 prints and engravings, and 34,000 illustrations which were used in books. He also produced 300 sculptures and ceramic pieces during this expansive career. It is also estimated that over 350 pieces which he created during his career, have been stolen; this is a figure that is far higher than any other artist throughout history.
Sale of his works
Pablo Picasso also sold more pieces, and his works have brought in higher profit margins, than any other artist of his time. His pieces rank among the most expensive artworks to be created; with a price tag of $104 million, the title: Garson a la Pipe, painted in 1905 was sold in 2004.
The second painting title: Nude Green Leaves and Bust painted in 1932, sold for $106.5 million in 2010.
Picasso first encountered Marie-Thérèse Walter in January 1927. He kept their relationship secret for many years, even from some of his closest friends, particularly from his wife Olga. In 1931-2 he embarked on a series of sculptures and paintings of Marie-Thérèse, made at his studio in the Chateau de Boisgeloup, which he had purchased in 1930. Picasso’s habit of dating his work very precisely makes it possible to trace the development of this sequence as Picasso discovered an increasingly complex manipulation of her body. Made on 8 March 1932, Nude, Green Leaves and Bust is the most intense among the group of large nudes, counterpointing the real head with a sculpted head, and the folds of Marie-Thérèse’s body with the luxuriant forms of a philodendron plant. The setting includes a secretive curtain against which the sculptural bust casts a double shadow as if the white of the foreground nude was literally illuminating the space.
The WORLD record for the most expensive work sold at auction was Francis Bacon’s triptych Three Studies of Lucian Freud, which sold for $142.4m at Christie’s in November 2013.
Monday 11th May 2015 at the Christies Auction in New York claim the World record for the highest value of $160 million for his painting title: “Women of Algiers”. Picasso embarked on a series of interpretations of some of his favourite paintings. Women of Algiers painted in the 1950s, is one of his responses to a sensuous eastern fantasy of harem life painted by Delacroix in 1834 that hangs in the Louvre.
These were the comments:
Yosef Reznikov
WWW.RESHART. GALLERY
Picasso would have been surprised by this value. In life, it would !!
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EUGENE COSTENCO
ARTIST_ECOS-Art Gallery
Nice
Bridie Morgan
Fine art agent
In my view not one of his greatest. It had not been seen for years so that may partly account for the extraordinary price.
Lucía Borrallo
Artist painter & Interior Designer [Infographics
I do not understand the information on the evaluation of the Houses of Auctions, I think that it not always the painting is in proportion with its evaluation… Picasso knew to sell his work in his time, he was also a genius at marketing… Appoint 3 works by Picasso, among my favourites, is not easy:
“Marie-Thérèse, Face and Profile” “The pigeon pea” “The soup”
Rhonda Lund
Artist
I believe Picasso, whether you like his work or not, proves to be the ultimate in creativity…..and this is why he is so widely recognised and appreciated. Plus how can an artist paint over 13,000 paintings and 100,000 prints and not go noticed?
RAJESH TANWAR
ARTIST – PAINTER & SCULPTOR
I think Picasso’s works are all-time favourites to all and in numbers, he was very versatile among artists.
Fred Pectoor
Visual Artist @ NUCLEO
I agree with your comment Lucia; it seems that all Picasso’s works are masterpieces… and they are not, as you said they are marketing, so it’s going with Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst…
Akshay Chauhan
Co-Founder at Hashvash
Nice article Sunil Vilas Ji, inspirational for contemporary artists.
Sunil Vilas
Founder / Managing Director / Art Dealer, ICAS – Vilas Fine Art Letchworth
Good afternoon to you all welcome to our Creative lounge. Hello, Namaste! Bonjour!, Salute!, Shalom! to Monique Laxer, Akshay Chauhan, 壺中天地 CK mok, Sara Louise May, Johnny Johnston, Ed Burke, Doug Bloodworth, JAMA Jose Andres Mato Alonso, Ivan Ulmann, Philippa Savage, Oliver Feistmantl, 周成光, Lucía Borrallo, Vita Burton-Davey, Jayne Anita Smith, Michie Lyne, and ALL who are joining us TODAY.., WELCOME!!!
What a wonderful opportunity for us to review and discuss the work of one of the Great Masters..,
Thank you for all the comments EUGENE COSTENCO, Yosef Reznikov, Bridie Morgan, Lucía Borrallo, Rhonda Lund, RAJESH TANWAR, Fred Pectoor, Akshay Chauhan..,
We look forward to receiving more comments from the rest of our members. Enjoy the rest of your Thursday.
Dave King
Artist
Sales such as this and the art market generally ought to have no bearing on the production of art and it’s organic progress. The only bearing it has is a negative one where the general public is once more astonished by the ridiculous amount of money that is awash in the market and how it negatively colours their perception of art generally. I love Picasso’s work but what I love more is the idea of spending that money more wisely in a world full of poverty and ecological disaster. If I was Picasso I would be spinning in my grave at the thought that my work was being used as a hidden trophy and not as a source of joy to the many! My three favourites?
“Ma Jolie” (1912), “Las Meninas” (1957) and “The Matador” (1970).
J.M. Carnright
Sculptor – USA, CT., Vienna, AT., Paris, Fr.
BRAVO DAVE KING…!!!… …jmc
Unfortunately, auctions or art sales when huge sums of currency are paid for art are the true indicators of controlled art markets. While it seems an obvious simplistic statement, its relevancy is great. This type of thinking is an indicator of the growth of art markets existing for centuries as art value grew to equalize how artist recognition is/was based, what artists would be offered gallery representation, a range of exhibitions + oft paid for non-critical reviews(either through contacts or contractual ventures, meaning how much money gallery’s paid for advertising in magazines, newspapers, radio or other media outlets)to higher recognition by eventual museum collections when friendship or business stepped in to control even those(museum)cherished collections.Remember>even Van Gogh, ignored in his day, never sold an artwork. The Reality:>>> A once relatively small wealthy strata always controlled the art market. That strata grew greater in strength and larger in number as the wealthy class grew in numbers. It’s basically a common truth living within the Art World. Nothing more, nothing less. You live with this truth as an artist. It’s an absolute no one has any control over. And if you love art or creating art, you simply always ignore this reality!
While there is certainly much more that can be written about this statement above ~~> including true stories of how certain artists were given their place and acknowledgement in museums via their varied connections/connections and others by a known “payola” process ~~~> certainly great honesty and a true museum selection process plays the greater role. Regardless, artists should not be creating art because they want some form of recognition. Artists should only create art because it captured their wonderment and imagination at some point in life. And they continued because creation in and of itself is eternal. The only satisfaction should exist in creation’s completion and perhaps, its sharing. Many of my own artworks exist in quiet, unknown places near rivers, forests and elsewhere. There are works in collections and I’m grateful for this. I’m eternally thankful I’m still physically able to create regardless of anything else affecting or affecting my life. I’m fortunate to be considered an artist and writer. The span of my being is insignificant. Life and creating are significant and own the greater expanse of my soul. …jmc
Thank you for visiting us today have a Creative inspiring day!!!
