Portrait of Bibi la Purée - Pablo Picasso
Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso (25 October 1881 – 8 April 1973) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theatre designer who spent most of his adult life in France. One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, he is known for co-founding the Cubist movement, the invention of constructed sculpture, the co-invention of collage, and for the wide variety of styles that he helped develop and explore. Among his most famous works are the proto-Cubist Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907) and the anti-war painting Guernica (1937), a dramatic portrayal of the bombing of Guernica by German and Italian air forces during the Spanish Civil War.
Beginning his formal training under his father José Ruiz y Blasco aged seven, Picasso demonstrated extraordinary artistic talent from a young age, painting in a naturalistic manner through his childhood and adolescence. During the first decade of the 20th century, his style changed as he experimented with different theories, techniques, and ideas. After 1906, the Fauvist work of the older artist Henri Matisse motivated Picasso to explore more radical styles, beginning a fruitful rivalry between the two artists, who subsequently were often paired by critics as the leaders of modern art.
- Early Life and Training: Picasso’s birth certificate and the record of his baptism include very long names, combining those of various saints and relatives. Ruiz y Picasso were his paternal and maternal surnames, respectively, per Spanish custom. The surname “Picasso” comes from Liguria, a coastal region of north-western Italy. Pablo's maternal great-grandfather, Tommaso Picasso, moved to Spain around 1807.
- The Blue Period (1901–1904): Picasso’s father José Ruiz y Blasco was a painter who specialized in naturalistic depictions of birds and other game. For most of his life, Ruiz was a traditional academic artist and instructor, who believed that proper training required disciplined copying of the masters, and drawing the human body from plaster casts and live models.
- The Rose Period (1904–1906): Picasso’s father José Ruiz y Blasco was a painter who specialized in naturalistic depictions of birds and other game. For most of his life, Ruiz was a traditional academic artist and instructor, who believed that proper training required disciplined copying of the masters, and drawing the human body from plaster casts and live models.
The
Portrait of Bibi La Purée is a captivating oil painting created by the renowned artist
Pablo Picasso in 1901. This artwork is a testament to Picasso's innovative style, which was heavily influenced by his time in Paris and his exposure to the avant-garde art scene. The painting showcases Picasso’s unique ability to blend bold lines and vibrant colors, resulting in a truly mesmerizing piece.
The Subject: André Raffray
André Raffray, known affectionately as “Bibi La Purée,” was a French artist who captivated Picasso's imagination during this formative period. Raffray’s nickname – "Bibi La Purée" – reflects his bohemian lifestyle and eccentric personality, adding an element of intrigue to the portrait’s narrative. Raffray was given the nickname “Bibi La Purée” by fellow artists, which adds to the intrigue surrounding this enigmatic figure. The painting is a prime example of Picasso's early work, which laid the foundation for his future artistic endeavors.
The Influence of Cubism
Although the
Portrait of Bibi La Purée was created before the advent of cubism, it is clear that Picasso’s style was already evolving. The painting features a fragmented and abstract depiction of Raffray, which would become a hallmark of cubist art. For more information on cubism and its influence on modern art, visit
WahooArt's Cubism page.
Notable Works by Pablo Picasso
Some of
Pablo Picasso's notable works include
Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, which can be found at the
Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Guernica, a powerful anti-war painting. To explore more of Picasso's artwork, visit
WahooArt's Pablo Picasso page.
Handmade oil painting reproductions of the
Portrait of Bibi La Purée are available at
WahooArt, allowing art enthusiasts to own a piece of history.
The
Portrait of Bibi La Purée is a significant work in the history of modern art, and its influence can still be seen today. By exploring the life and works of
Pablo Picasso, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artistic movements that shaped the 20th century.