Pablo Picasso: The Father of Cubist Art

Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881-1973) is a Spanish artist who spent most of his life in France and is known for founding Cubism. Being a painter, he also worked with sculpture, ceramics, graphics and design. According to Spanish traditions, Picasso had two family names: his paternal surname is Ruiz and the maternal one is Picasso.

Pablo started painting in early childhood. His first art lessons were taught by his father José Ruiz y Blasco, who was an art teacher. Picasso's very first steps in art were drawings of pigeons and doves because his father let the boy finish bird talons on his works. Picasso produced his first painting at the age of 8. It was Le Picador (The Little Yellow Bullfighter), which he refused to give up for his entire life.

Picasso demonstrated his extraordinary artistic talent in his early years. From that time on, he successfully reflected life in a naturalistic manner, which is shown in such artworks as Academic study. Hand (1894), Altar Boy (1896) and First Communion (1896).