Pablo Picasso
became the 20th century's most famous artist.
Pablo Picasso was the 20th century's most famous artist. Although Picasso may be renowned for creating the ground-breaking style of Cubism, he painted notable works all throughout his life, including his "Self Portrait in Blue Period." This portrait marks a coming out of sorts for Picasso and shows him emerging as an artist with his own voice.
Biography
Pablo Picasso was born on Oct. 25, 1881, in Milaga, Spain. The century's most famous artist came by his artistic leanings naturally. His father, Don Jos Ruiz y Blasco, was both a painter and art school professor. Picasso's artistic ability showed up early in life, and his father had hoped that his son would become an academic painter. The young artist did indeed study art, but never completed university education. Instead he left Spain and moved to Paris where he lived and forged a career in painting.
Blue Period Definition
Picasso's Blue Period represents the artist's first real foray into developing his voice and vision as an artist. The paintings from the period feature extreme melancholy in the subject matter and a predominantly blue color palette. The period was brought on by the death of his friend Carlos Casagemas, who committed suicide. Later works in the period feature emaciated street people, prostitutes and others who represented those who lived on the lower rungs of society.
Self-Portrait Tradition
"Self-Portrait in the Blue Period" isn't Picasso's only self-portrait. However, because of the time frame in which the artist painted the picture it does hold a certain amount of significance. Picasso belonged to a larger group of artists living at the time. These artists sparked a cultural phenomenon, which portrayed the young artist as someone who was socially or politically motivated and one of society's intellectuals. Although Picasso joined the Communist Party at this time, his real activism in politics showed up in his paintings. This portrait represented him as the social conscious artist he thought himself to be.
The Painting
Picasso's Blue Period self-portrait featured a young Picasso against a blue background. Painted in 1901, the portrait depicts a young Picasso sporting a beard, appearing to be washed out and older than his years, However, despite being surrounded by a predominantly melancholic environment and sadness in his personal life, the portrait also shows a sense of self assurance.
