The minor artistic talent known as Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain. It's said that he almost died at birth but revived after his uncle helpfully blew some cigar smoke in his face (then stood him a double scotch). This selfless gesture enabled him to go on to create a mere 20,000 works of art.
It's also alleged that his art teacher dad was so gobsmacked by his son's precocious talents that he handed over his paints and never brushed again (but, of course, that happened a few moments later). Picasso was a child prodigy who amazed teachers and fellow rug rats alike. As a wrinkly looking at children's art he said that when he was their age he could draw like Raphael but that it took him a lifetime to learn to draw like a child again.
At 19 Pablo visited Paris with a painter pal but was devastated by his friend's suicide. This tragedy is said to have inspired the Blue Period during which he painted gloomy subjects (in blue).
In 1904 he went to live in Paris in the house known as the Laundry Boat (what's yours called?). Pablo and poet Max Jacob had a time-share bed. While Max mused, Pablo snoozed, then vice versa . He also met Fernande Olivier who cheered him up so much that he embarked on his Rose Period of acrobat and harlequin pictures.
In 1907 he painted Les Desmoiselles d'Avignon and kicked off Cubism, the artistic movement that changed the face of the world as we know it (after inspiring the invention of the tetra-pack).
In 1912 Picasso traded in Fernande for Eva (he got through lovers like other painters get through flake-white). During the 20s and 30s he continued to go from strength to strength, partner to partner and idea to idea, constantly coming up with new masterworks like Three Musicians and Guernica.
In 1947 he went to live in the South of France and remained there for the rest of his wives.
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