Bullfight Scene in Arena, 1957

Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer, widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Born in Málaga, Spain, he demonstrated exceptional artistic talent from a young age, receiving formal training under his father, José Ruiz y Blasco. Picasso's prolific career spanned over seven decades, during which he co-founded the Cubist movement and pioneered various artistic styles and techniques.

Throughout his career, Picasso's work evolved through several distinct periods. His early "Blue Period" (1901–1904) is characterized by somber paintings in shades of blue and blue-green, reflecting themes of poverty and isolation. This was followed by the "Rose Period" (1904–1906), marked by warmer colors and subjects like circus performers. In 1907, he painted "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," a revolutionary work that introduced a major new style—Cubism. Collaborating with French artist Georges Braque, Picasso developed Cubism into its Analytic (1909–1912) and Synthetic (1912–1919) phases. His work continued to evolve, incorporating elements of Surrealism in the 1920s and neoclassicism in the 1920s and 1930s. One of his most renowned works, "Guernica" (1937), serves as a powerful anti-war statement, depicting the bombing of the Basque town during the Spanish Civil War.

Picasso's art has been celebrated in numerous prestigious exhibitions worldwide. Notably, the Museum of Modern Art in New York held a significant retrospective in 1939, solidifying his reputation in the United States. His works have achieved remarkable success in the art market; for instance, his painting "Les Femmes d'Alger" sold for $179 million at auction in 2015, setting a record at the time. Picasso passed away on April 8, 1973, in Mougins, France, leaving behind a vast and diverse body of work that continues to influence and inspire artists globally.