Interesting Facts About Pablo Picasso That You Never Knew!

Baby Picasso was almost stillborn.

When Picasso was born, the midwife thought that he was stillborn and left him on the pediatrician table! However, the “miracle” occurred when midwife went to Picasso’s mother to inform her of this sad news. Another amazing fact-Pablo’s uncle was an attending physician and delivered the baby. Actually, Dr Don Salvador is widely credited with saving the life of baby Picasso.

Baby Picasso’s First Spoke the Word ‘Pencil’!

The early years of Picasso were filled with wonder and education! He first spoke the word “piz”, which means pencil in English. This was maybe the clue about the future career path and occupation of young Picasso, and was a big and clear label on his back as a future artist.

Picasso’s First Oil Painting.

Picassso created “Le Picador” in the year 1890 at the age of 9! This work depicted a man who was riding a horse in bull; fighting. This sport is still widely popular in spain.

Picasso’s First Academic Painting ‘First Communion’.

Though Picasso foray into artistic endeavors started with “Le Picador” at the age of nine in early 1890, his first academic painting came six years later. This work, “First Communion”, is a portrait of his father, youngest sister and mother, all kneeling before the altar of a church. Picasso was just fifteen when he made this masterpiece. This is one of the most treasured works of Picasso.

Picasso’s First Job in Paris

Picasso’s first job was with Pere Mehach, his landlord/ art dealer. He agreed to work for 150 francs a month, and this amount in today’s terms is hundreds of dollars. This was not a bad sum back in those days and allowed young Pablo to develop his personal characteristics and creativity, which carried him through the rest of his highly successful life.

Picasso and His Glorious Academic Career

It is a fact that Picasso was a brilliant student, but his academic career record does not indicate this fact. Picasso readily entered entrance examines of all top artistic institutions of higher learning, right from Madrid to Paris, where he wanted to enroll himself. It was another fact that time and again, circumstances were such that Picasso had to leave school just after two or three semesters. He felt really bad about it but could do nothing. However, this did not make any difference when he became widely successful as an artist after his famous “First communion”, yet it was a clear sign that brilliant artists in some cases had difficulty in structured classroom setting.

Exhibit at the age of 13

Picasso’s first exhibit was at the age of thirteen where he shows all his painting in back room of an umbrella store!

Burnt his paintings to keep himself warm!

In 1900 while living in Paris, Picasso faced severe financial problems and had to burn several of his paintings to stay warm. In his later years, he paid his bills with simple one word signature “Picasso”.

Picasso had two wives and six mistresses. He had four children. He painted more than 18000 pictures. His famous last words were, Drink to me Drink to my Health but I can’t Drink anymore,