Modern art · Spain and France · 1881–1973
Pablo Picasso Life & Career Timeline
Blue and Rose periods, Cubism, political art and seven decades of relentless invention.
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18811895190919231937195119651973
PPPablo PicassoModern art · Spain and France
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About Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso transformed modern painting and sculpture while working across drawing, print, ceramics, theatre and public imagery.
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Pablo Picasso biography
Pablo Picasso timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Málaga
Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born to painter and teacher José Ruiz Blasco and María Picasso López.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frBegins formal art study
Picasso entered the local School of Fine Arts where his father taught.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frMoves to Barcelona
After his sister Conchita’s death, the family relocated and Picasso entered La Llotja.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frStudies at San Fernando
He briefly attended the Royal Academy and studied works in the Prado.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frFirst visit to Paris
Picasso travelled with Carlos Casagemas for the Exposition Universelle.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frBlue Period begins
Casagemas’s death and urban poverty shaped a sombre blue palette.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frMoves to Bateau-Lavoir
The studio connected Picasso with poets, dealers and avant-garde artists.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frRose Period
Warmer colours and circus figures marked a new phase of work.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frLes Demoiselles d’Avignon
The radical painting fractured conventional space and helped open the way to Cubism.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frAnalytical Cubism develops
Work with Georges Braque broke objects into shifting geometric viewpoints.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frCollage enters Cubism
Picasso incorporated printed and everyday materials into fine art.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frDesigns for Parade
Work with the Ballets Russes connected painting, costume and stage design.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frGuernica created
Picasso painted a monumental response to the bombing of the Basque town for the Spanish Pavilion.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frJoins the French Communist Party
After the Liberation, Picasso made a public political commitment.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frDove becomes a peace symbol
A lithograph was chosen for the Paris Peace Congress poster.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frMoves to La Californie
Picasso pursued large series responding to historic masters and mass media.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frMuseu Picasso Barcelona opens
Works donated by Jaime Sabartés and later Picasso anchored the museum.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frDies in Mougins
Picasso died aged 91 after an extraordinarily prolific career across media.
Source: www.museepicassoparis.frExplore related timelines
This educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Pablo Picasso or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file
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About the Pablo Picasso timeline
Who is Pablo Picasso?
Pablo Picasso transformed modern painting and sculpture while working across drawing, print, ceramics, theatre and public imagery.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1881–1973.
Who maintains this timeline?
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
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