Pablo Picasso Facts for Kids

Have you ever heard of Pablo Picasso? You probably know him for his Blue Period. I bet you didn’t know about his Rose Period, though, or the two periods of Cubism he inspired. Find a comfy spot and get ready to read about just how amazing Picasso truly was with these Pablo Picasso facts for kids.

Pablo Picasso was one of the most influential artists of all time and this blogpost will tell you exactly how he came to become so popular. From his early years until decades after his death, we will cover it all! You can download a FREE printable Picasso activity too at the bottom of the post!

The Early Years in Spain

Pablo Picasso was born on October 25, 1881, in northern Spain to his parents Jose Ruiz Blasco and Maria Picasso y Lopez. Picasso’s father was a painter and art teacher.

Picasso’s full name is Pablo Ruiz y Picasso or Pablo Ruiz Picasso.

Picasso showed artistic talent at a very young age and began taking lessons from his father at the age of 7.

At the early age of 8, Pablo Picasso created his first major painting, Le Picador. This was also Picasso’s first oil painting and it depicted a man riding a bull.

Picasso was considered a child prodigy. As a young boy, Picasso was already considered a better painter than his father. By the time he was 15, Picasso had created hundreds of detailed paintings, sketches, and drawings.

Picasso was drafted into the Spanish Army in 1898 and served for a year before being discharged because of his poor health.

Pablo Picasso Facts for Kids – Blue Period

Picasso’s Blue Period (1901-1904) is characterized by dark blue paintings with sad themes inspired by the death of his friend Casagemas.

Pablo Picasso Facts for Kids – Rose Period

The Rose Period (1904-1906) is named for the warmer colors and more cheerful subject matter of Picasso’s paintings from this time.

Picasso Developed Cubism

In 1907, Picasso moved to Paris and met famous artists of the day such as Henri Matisse and George Braque. All three of these artists become some of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

In that same year, Picasso developed Cubism, an abstract style of painting featuring geometric shapes.

Picasso was the founder of cubism and artist George Braque later adopted the style. As a result of its increasing popularity, the analytic cubism movement arose in 1910 and lasted until 1912. This art movement was followed by the synthetic cubism movement that lasted until 1914.

Pablo Picasso Had One Son

The Museum of Modern Art in New York City held the first major exhibition of Picasso’s work in 1931.

Picasso was married to Olga Khokhlova from 1918 to 1936. Picasso had one son named Paulo with his first wife, Olga.

In 1937, Picasso married his second wife, Jacqueline Roque, and they remained together until his death in 1973.

Pablo Picasso Won the Nobel Prize

Picasso was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1951 “for his luminous and picturesque poetry which, with great sensibility and spiritual intensity, has interpreted the most varied emotions and situations.”

Picasso was a heavy smoker and drinker and suffered from several health problems in his later years.

He died on April 8, 1973, in Mougins, France, at the age of 91.

Fun Facts About Pablo Picasso

• Picasso was a prolific artist and created over 20,000 paintings, drawings, and sculptures in his lifetime.
• A number of his works are housed in museums around the world, including the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris, the Tate Modern in London, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
• In 2005, a painting by Picasso sold for $104.1 million, making it the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction.
• Picasso was a master of multiple art forms, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics.
• He often used unusual materials in his sculptures, such as metal wire, string, and cardboard.
• Picasso was known for his volatile temper and had several public arguments with other artists throughout his career.
• Picasso was an avid reader and enjoyed books on history and philosophy.
• He was also a fan of jazz music and often listened to it while he worked.
• Picasso was left-handed, but sometimes painted and drew with his right hand to confuse people.
• He was known for his fast work pace and could often complete a painting in just a few hours.

More Fun Facts About Pablo Picasso

• Picasso’s legacy is immense and he is considered one of the greatest artists of the 20th century and one of the most influential artists of all time.
• His paintings are some of the most expensive in the world and can fetch millions of dollars at auction.
• Picasso’s work has been exhibited in some of the most prestigious museums around the world, and he is one of the few artists to have his work displayed in both the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• A self-taught artist, Picasso was a master of form, color, and composition.
• He reinvented modern art with his Cubist paintings, which were unlike anything that had been seen before.
• Picasso was highly prolific and produced an astonishing amount of art over his long career.
• He was never content to stay in one style for very long and constantly experimented with new techniques and subject matter.

Even More Fun Facts About Pablo Picasso

• Picasso was honored with many prestigious awards throughout his lifetime, including the Legion of Honor and the Gold Medal for Painting from the French government.
• He was also a member of numerous art societies, including the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
• Picasso’s work has been exhibited in virtually every major city in the world and is widely collected by both museums and private collectors.

The art of Pablo Picasso is enjoyed by people of all ages and his work continues to be a source of inspiration for artists around the world. Picasso was a complex, fascinating man with a vast body of work that is sure to continue to fascinate and inspire for generations to come. We hope that you have enjoyed these Pablo Picasso facts for kids. If you want to learn more about this famous artist, be sure to check out some of his paintings and sculptures at your nearest art museum. You won’t be disappointed!

Download Your FREE Picasso Drawing Activity

1. Sign up to receive the weekly newsletter and other announcements from Growing Play at the bottom of this post. If you already subscribe, just enter your email and you will get access to the freebie too!

2. Download the fun and FREE printable!

3. Draw your own Picasso style face!

WANT MORE FUN FACTS FOR KIDS?

Check 100 fun facts for kids here and browse all the other topics at the bottom of the post.