Pablo Picasso: A Primative Soul (2 Parts)

He has been hailed as the most important artist of the twentieth century. The brilliant, sometimes controversial, art of Pablo Picasso has made him one of the most famous people of our time. His unique and ever-changing artistic style challenged the traditional conventions of the art world. But as fiery and unique as his art was, he was even more so. A man of grand passions, whether for women or for art, Picasso's life was like his art--on a grand scale and a challenge to traditional order.

Pablo Picasso: A Primitive Soul would be useful for classes on 20th Century History, Art, Art History and World Culture. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Objectives: Students will explore the artistic contributions of Picasso in the context of his contributions to modern art. They will examine the different artistic styles of the century, and explore art as an expression of the major events of the century.

• avant-garde
• condescension
• exorcise
• iconoclastic
• indoctrination
• insatiable
• matriarch
• mediocre
• mercurial
• modernity
• panache
• prestigious
• provincial
• quintessential
• refuge
• soirees

1. Pablo Picasso is considered the most influential artist of the twentieth century. How did he revolutionize the art world?

2. Although he spent most of his adult life in France, Picasso was born and raised in Spain. How did Picasso's art reflect his Spanish heritage?

3. Picasso was very much a product of the Latino ideology of "machismo." What is machismo?

4. Discuss the influence of Picasso's father on Picasso's life and art.

5. Picasso left Barcelona to attend a prestigious art school in Madrid, but did not stay because he was miserable. Why was Picasso so unhappy in Madrid?

6. Picasso first encountered impressionism in when he went to France. What is impressionism? Who are the famous artists of this style?

7. Picasso completed a series of paintings using shades of blue. What prompted Picasso to create the paintings of his "blue period?"

8. Discuss Picasso's treatment of women throughout his life.

9. Picasso was insanely jealous of Henri Matisse. Why? Why did he consider Matisse a threat?

10. Art is a reflection of the artist and his or her times. How did Picasso's paintings reflect the modernity of the era?

11. What is cubism? What inspired Picasso to experiment with this style?

12. Discuss how Picasso's emotions drove his art. What are some examples?

13. Discuss how Picasso used his art as a political statement.

14. Critics have called Picasso's art a "struggle between the hideous and the beautiful." Discuss this statement.

1. Using any medium of your choice, create your own art to make a political statement.

2. Create a drawing or painting using one of Picasso's techniques.

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Primary Sources

• "From the moment that art ceases to be food that feeds the best minds, the artist can use his talents to perform all the tricks of the intellectual charlatan. Most people can today no longer expect to receive consolation and exaltation from art." --Pablo Picasso

Air Dates

• September 20, 2004
• September 21, 2004