Feeling Blue: Pablo Picasso

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Emma Saskowski
Mrs. Reaves
Composition II
18 October 2017
Feeling Blue
As Pablo Picasso once said, “Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions” (Kurbalija). Picasso proved this to be true by using specific colors in his palette depending on the state of his personal life and the world around him. Picasso is commonly praised as one of the most influential painters of the 20th century. His work is still classified as “modern” art in today’s society; and it is closely studied by art appreciation classes everywhere. Due to his constant experimentation and sudden shifts in his painting style, the study of Pablo Picasso is essential for all students. Evaluating Picasso’s work has proven to be very difficult, however, it is necessary
Picasso was living a life of isolation. He had just moved from his family in Spain to France in order to pursue his exploration of art (Pablo Picasso Paintings). As mentioned, he had just lost his best friend. Adding to his depression, Picasso was having financial problems due to the lack of sales. His paintings were considered to be grim and depressing and only a few people were interested in buying paintings with this content (Barcelona Budget). His work reflected his own existence because he chose to paint those who were penniless and in unstable circumstances. Some may think that when Picasso’s Blue Period ended, his depression did as well. This was not the case. His depression continued until much later until his fourth period called his Neo-Classicist Period (Pablo Picasso Paintings). The blue theme not only reflected his “blue mood” but it also reflected the circumstances of his
There are theories considering why Picasso focused on blindness in his art. His own father, José Ruiz y Blasco, was also a painter, and it was well known that he was gradually losing his sight (Ravin). Understandably, blindness was not conducive to a painter’s life and can end his career. Picasso was quoted describing in cryptic ways that he acknowledged that he had a fear of blindness. When discussing blindness Picasso stated, “There is in fact only love that matters. Whatever it may be. And the should put out the eyes of painters as they do to goldfinches to make them sing better” (Ravin). He did not include blind subjects to make the viewer feel bad, rather he intended for them to draw the observer’s attention. His intense focus on blindness, or impaired vision, caused him to change his style by increasing his use of monochromatic blue hues. The blues gave the viewers the illusion of what it would be like to have constricted

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