Image via Complex Original
Pablo Picasso is one of the 20th century’s most renowned artists, whose name is now synonymous with artistic genius. Everyone from young children to seasoned MFA holders can identify a popular Picasso, which is further evidence of his legendary status among artists.
Many of his works grace the halls of the most famous museums and fill private collections. He continued to paint until his death at the age of 91; however, few know about the man behind the canvas.
In order to erase some of the myth, we’ve created this list of 20 Things You Didn't Know About Picasso.
RELATED: 20 Things You Didn't Know About Jean-Michel Basquiat
RELATED: 10 Life Lessons We Can Learn from Picasso
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Picasso's full name is Pablo Diego Jose Franciso de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santisima Trinidad Clito Ruiz y Picasso, a series of names of saints and relatives.
Picasso's full name is Pablo Diego Jose Franciso de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santisima Trinidad Clito Ruiz y Picasso, a series of names of saints and relatives.
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According to his mother, Picasso's first word as a child was "piz" short for "lapiz" the spanish word for pencil.
According to his mother, Picasso's first word as a child was "piz" short for "lapiz" the spanish word for pencil.
His first exhibit was in the back of an umbrella store at age 13.
His first exhibit was in the back of an umbrella store at the age of 13.
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Picasso, distracted by his passion for the arts, was an awful formal student and often found himself in detention.
Picasso, distracted by his passion for the arts, was an awful formal student and often found himself in detention.
He burned many of his paintings to keep warm during financial struggles.
He burned many of his paintings to keep warm during financial struggles.
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Picasso had a love for poetry, writing over 300 poems between 1935-1959, coinciding with his marital problems with Olga Khokhlova.
Picasso had a love for poetry, writing over 300 poems between 1935-1959, coinciding with his marital problems with Olga Khokhlova.
At one point, Picasso had an affair with Francoise Gilot, a woman forty years younger than him.
At one point, Picasso had an affair with Francoise Gilot, a woman forty years younger than him.
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Despite his many relationships, Picasso vocally had no appreciation for women artists.
Despite his many relationships, Picasso vocally had no appreciation for women artists.
Picasso has had more of his paintings stolen than any other artist, with more than 1,000 pieces missing to date.
Picasso has had more of his paintings stolen than any other artist, with more than 1,000 pieces missing to date.
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Picasso was brought in for questioning as a subject when the Mona Lisa was stolen in 1911. An acquaintance accused him of stealing it.
Picasso was brought in for questioning as a subject when the Mona Lisa was stolen in 1911. An acquaintance accused him of stealing it.
Out of his many relationships and affairs, Picasso had four children: Paul, Maya, Claude and Paloma
Out of his many relationships and affairs, Picasso had four children: Paul, Maya, Claude and Paloma.
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During World War II, the Nazis forbid Picasso from showing his paintings, which did not fit their guidelines for art.
During World War II, the Nazis forbid Picasso from showing his paintings, which did not fit their guidelines for art.
In his later years, Picasso's paintings were extremely similar to each other and dated with precison, as if he were trying to capture sequential moments in time.
In his later years, Picasso's paintings were extremely similar to each other and dated with precison, as if he were trying to capture sequential moments in time.
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Picasso was the first living artist to have his work shown at the Louvre. His exhibition in 1971 honored his 90th birthday.
Picasso was the first living artist to have his work shown at the Louvre. His exhibition in 1971 honored his 90th birthday.
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Picasso's final words were "Drink to me, drink to my health, you know I can't drink any more."
Picasso's final words were "Drink to me, drink to my health, you know I can't drink any more."
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