Late Picasso

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), born in Málaga, Spain, had a huge impact on 20th-century art – an impact that extends to the present day.

In the early 20th century, he was based in Paris, France. Here, together with Georges Braque (1882-1963), he developed Cubism – a revolutionary approach to art that challenged traditional representation of reality. Picasso underwent several stylistic periods, including the Blue and Pink periods, and also created political works such as Guernica (1937).

In the 1940s he moved to the south of France, where he continued his experiments with painting, graphics, ceramics and sculpture. This would be both his home and creative base in the final years of his life. He died in 1973.

Since his death, the image of Picasso has become more nuanced. While his art is still praised for its power, originality and influence, it is also viewed in a critical light: new generations question his cultural appropriation and view of women. It is perhaps in this very tension between artistic genius and human complexity that we find the key to his continued relevance.