Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer who became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Born in Málaga, Spain, he showed extraordinary artistic talent from a young age and went on to transform modern art through a career spanning over seven decades. Picasso co-founded the Cubist movement, pioneered techniques such as collage and constructed sculpture. His art evolved through several distinct periods, including the somber Blue Period, the warmer Rose Period, the groundbreaking African art–inspired Proto-Cubism, and the radical abstractions of Cubism. Later, he explored neoclassicism and surrealism, and his work often reflected his political views, especially in powerful pieces like Guernica (1937), which protested the horrors of war. Known for his restless creativity and innovation, Picasso left a profound legacy that continues to influence artists and thinkers worldwide.