Up until this point, Pablo Picasso was moderately well-known. He was making money but lacked a breakthrough masterpiece. In 1905, he attended the Stein gatherings, where he met Henri Matisse. At the time, Matisse had just released "Woman with a Hat," gaining immense popularity as the leader of Fauvism.
**Henri Matisse's Woman with a Hat (1905)**
Picasso thought to himself, "I painted something similar a few years ago. Why is his work getting all the attention? I can do better!"
Picasso's Girlfriend (1901)
Seeing Matisse's painting hanging on the wall at Gertrude Stein's gathering instead of his own filled Picasso with envy and jealousy. However, it also spurred him on. He began visiting Matisse's studio frequently, and soon, he was inspired with a life-changing idea.
At the time, Picasso was drawing nude women regularly, as it was a common subject in his daily life. However, he often found the compositions complex and unresolved, leading to many unfinished works.
Three Nude Women (1906)
During one visit to Matisse's studio, Picasso observed Matisse studying African artifacts to gain new inspiration. Matisse was planning a trip to explore these influences further. Picasso felt a spark of inspiration himself.
If Matisse was revolutionizing color, Picasso decided he would revolutionize form. His drawings started becoming simpler in shape.
Two Nude Women (1906)
Head of a Man (1907)
Picasso began inviting multiple nude models to create simplified forms and add color. He named this work "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon."
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907)
This painting was Picasso's jackpot, propelling him from a middling artist to a major force in the art world. By the time he turned 26, his works replaced Matisse’s in Gertrude Stein’s living room. Picasso achieved this breakthrough in just two years, gaining Gertrude's favor and securing his place on a promising path.
Grateful to Gertrude, Picasso painted her portrait.
Portrait of Gertrude Stein
Ironically, Gertrude Stein didn't like her portrait.
Matisse was furious and accused Picasso of stealing his ideas. Despite this, Matisse made a comeback in 1910 with "Dance," a result of his studies of African artifacts, regaining his fame.
Meanwhile, Picasso was forging a new path with Cubism, establishing himself not as an idea thief, but as a pioneer of a new artistic frontier.
Of course, Picasso's notorious affairs and abusive behavior continued.
Updated in 2024.05.24
