The 1900s were a turbulent time for artists.
The advent of photography made realistic painting seem redundant. Black and white photographs could capture reality, leaving artists to seek new directions. Symbolism and classicism were detailed and time-consuming, and surpassing the likes of Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci seemed daunting. A new breakthrough was needed. Impressionism (Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh) and Fauvism (Henri Matisse) had recently emerged, pushing the boundaries of art.
Picasso said, "Georges Braque! Any ideas? We need our own field, something new that no one has tried before." Georges, who often painted alongside Picasso, responded, "Picasso, how about this?"
Braque showed Picasso a radically simplified and fragmented painting. The shapes were distorted, yet there was a hint of recognizable forms. It was something entirely new. Picasso, intrigued yet uncertain, saw potential in this approach.
Even Henri Matisse, Picasso's former source of inspiration, criticized it, saying, "Do you want to ruin yourself?"
Undeterred, Picasso continued to develop the idea sparked by Braque. This collaboration led to the birth of Cubism. The art world is indeed mysterious; Cubism often leaves viewers puzzled, barely able to discern the subject.
Portrait of Fernande Olivier (1909)
Portrait of Ambroise Vollard (1910)
Dance of the Veil (1907)
Pablo Picasso and the Theft of the Mona Lisa/
In 1911, while Picasso was gaining fame for his Cubist works, a significant event shocked the art world. The Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The thief was Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian who pulled off the heist not as the protagonist of a drama, but as a genuine art thief.
Peruggia was assisted by an art broker named Géry Pieret. Pieret had previously been the secretary of Guillaume Apollinaire, a poet and close friend of Picasso. A few years earlier, Pieret had sold stolen Iberian sculptures to Picasso.
When the police caught Peruggia and interrogated him, these connections were revealed, putting Picasso under the spotlight. However, Picasso was ultimately found to have no direct involvement in the Mona Lisa theft and was released. Despite owning stolen Iberian sculptures, he faced no charges, which raises questions about justice—perhaps it was a case of "wealth buys innocence." It seems likely that Picasso, knowing the potential for trouble, distanced himself from the growing scandal.
In 1911, Picasso was 30 years old and entangled in a love affair with Eva Gouel, though his previous relationship with Fernande Olivier had ended. Amid these romantic entanglements, another major crisis emerged—the outbreak of World War I on July 28, 1914, lasting until November 11, 1918.
As the war drew to a close, Picasso traveled to Rome in 1917 to work on stage decorations for the Russian Ballet. It was there that he met Olga Khokhlova, a ballerina with whom he quickly fell in love. Remarkably, the notorious womanizer Picasso decided to marry Olga, a significant event considering his infamous reputation for fleeting relationships.
Picasso’s life during this period was marked by artistic innovation, scandal, and profound personal changes, reflecting the tumultuous times in which he lived.
Olga in a Mantilla (1917)
Olga in a hat with feather (1920)
Olga (1923)
Olga Khokhlova, a resilient Russian woman, spent ten years with Pablo Picasso, during which they had a child together. Despite her strength, Olga could not withstand Picasso’s abusive behavior and constant infidelities. He would frequently beat her and have affairs, creating an unbearable situation for anyone.
Olga eventually sought a divorce, but Picasso refused to sign the papers. His unwillingness stemmed from a desire to avoid dividing his wealth. Consequently, they remained separated, with Picasso only providing her with living expenses.
Between buying stolen goods, deceiving Henri Matisse, and his abusive and unfaithful behavior, Picasso’s personal conduct certainly paints a troubling picture. From my perspective, Picasso’s actions make him seem like a deeply flawed individual.
Updated in 2024.05.27
