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 style changed as he experimented with different theories, techniques, and ideas. 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.
- The Rose Period (1904–1906): Picasso’s style changed as he experimented with different theories, techniques, and ideas. 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.
The Subject: André Raffray
André Raffray was known for his bohemian lifestyle and eccentric personality. 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.
- View the Kunstmuseum Bern, Switzerland collection, which features an extensive range of modern and contemporary art.
- Discover the works of other notable artists, such as Yiannis Tsaroychis at WahooArt’s Yiannis Tsaroychis 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.