VISUAL ART ANALYSIS

Visual Art Analysis

Visual Art Analysis

Introduction

Pablo Picasso (whose full name is Pablo Diego José Santiago Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Crispín Crispiniano de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz Picasso) was born in Málaga, Spain, on October 25, 1881. A child prodigy, Picasso's early artistic talents were encouraged by his father, an art teacher and museum curator. Best known as a painter and as the father of cubism, Picasso was also a pacifist, remaining neutral during the many conflicts and wars that occurred during his lifetime. His father Don Jose Ruiz was also an artist and his parents came from an aristocratic family (O'Brian, 1994). His father was a teacher in the nearby art school. Picasso would later on recall that his father was master at simple and commonplace artistic creation. His father's art would include dining room pictures, pigeons, hares, rabbits, feather and flowers. Picasso's mother was the daughter of a government official. She was optimistic and a cheerful lady. She would always extend her help and support to Picasso. She would extend her moral and financial support to her son and Picasso always respected and loved her. Picasso's childhood details are unknown to much extent but this fact is known that his artistic taste began to develop from early childhood, when he would take pencil and draw random lines and figures. His childhood paintings still exist which are mainly comprised of pigeons and hares. This shows that his paintings are somehow impressed by his father's artistic work (McNeese & Picasso, 2006).

An early rebel, the Bohemian lifestyle of an artist suited him. He spent his teenage years between Spain and Paris, experimenting with the artistic styles of the late 1800s and early 1900s, known to and influenced by all the great painters of that time, Manet, Matisse, Rousseau, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Braque, among others. Picasso's work is categorized by periods. From 1901 to 1904 was his blue period. These somberly blue works often portray outcasts of society, such as beggars and prostitutes, as well as acrobats, harlequins, and artists. His rose period (1904-1907) was characterized by shades of pink, orange, and light blues and featured figures of circus people, harlequins, and clowns.

SebastiaJunyer Vidal was a friend and fellow artist of Picasso. Picasso would observe things and humans around him and his paintings depict his deep thinking and artistic nature. SebastiaJunyervidal accompanied him in Paris when Picasso decides to reside permanently in France. In 1903 he would make a portrait of SebastiaJunyer Vidal (McNeese & Picasso, 2006). This period of Picasso's life is known as blue period.

The Blue Period

Before visiting France, Picasso never visits any foreign country, rendering France as the first foreign country he visits. He would visit his friend Casagemas in Paris. After the death of his friend, Picasso saw a hard time of his life, when he would be hungry but don't have anything to eat, as he returns to Barcelona. This period of Picasso characterizes sadness. All the portraits he paints in this era are ...