Explore our collection of Pablo Picasso quotes that often witty and thought-provoking, offering a glimpse into the mind of this complex artist.
As one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, he is known for co-founding the Cubist movement, the invention of constructed sculpture, the co-creation of collage, and for the wide variety of styles that he helped develop and explore.
Short biography of Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso was a world-renowned painter, sculptor, and ceramicist who is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He was born on October 25th, 1881, in Málaga, Spain. He died in 1973 at the age of 91.
When Pablo was 10 years old, his family moved to Barcelona where he attended the Academy of Fine Arts. After graduation, he moved to Paris where he began experimenting with different styles of painting. Some of his most famous paintings include the ’Les Demoiselles d’Avignon’ and ’Guernica.’
His work has been celebrated for its innovation and originality, and his quotes are just as memorable as his artwork. Here are some of our favorite Pablo Picasso quotes:
Pablo Picasso quotes the meaning of life
Pablo Picasso quotes about life show that he was a deep thinker who had a lot to say about the human condition. Here are some quotes on the subject:
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
This is a beautifully altruistic statement that reminds us to be grateful for our talents and use them to make the world a better place.
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.”
“The first half of life is learning to be an adult-the second half is learning to be a child.”
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
There is something truly special about art that has the ability to transport us to another place and time. It can make us feel emotions that we didn’t even know we were capable of feeling. And it can give us a new perspective on the world around us. So next time you’re feeling down, take a moment to appreciate the power of art.
“The path to youth takes a lifetime.”
“Never permit a dichotomy to rule your life, a dichotomy in which you hate what you do so you can have pleasure in your spare time. Look for a situation in which your work will give you as much happiness as your spare time.”
“It is your work in life that is the ultimate seduction.”
“I’m never going to retire. What would I do with myself?”
“Everything you can imagine is real.”
“Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.”
This is a deep and meaningful statement that speaks to the human condition. We all make mistakes in life, but we must learn from them and move on.
Pablo Picasso quotes the purpose of art
Throughout his long career, Picasso maintained his commitment to creating art as an expression of his innermost thoughts and emotions. He is known for his Cubist paintings, but he also worked in many other styles throughout his career. Here are some Pablo Picasso quotes about art that reveal his deep understanding of the creative process.
“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
In other words, if you want to be creative and make new art, you have to know the traditional ways of making art first. Once you understand how things are typically done, you can then start to experiment and do things your own way.
“Why do you try to understand art? Do you try to understand the song of a bird?”
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
This quote from Pablo Picasso means that every child has creativity and imagination, but as we grow older, we lose touch with our creativity.
“Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.”
“Music and art are the guiding lights of the world.”
“Art is not truth; art is the lie which makes us see the truth.”
“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.”
“Good artists copy, great artists steal.”
“I have always believed and still believe that artists who live and work with spiritual values cannot and should not remain indifferent to the conflict in which the highest values of humanity and civilization are at stake.”
“To blossom forth, a work of art must ignore or rather forget all the rules.”
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”
Pablo Picasso quotes about creativity
In his quest for the new, Pablo Picasso quotes about creativity encouraged others to let go of preconceived notions and embrace their imagination.
“The urge to destroy is also a creative urge.”
Sometimes in order to create something new, you must first destroy what already exists. This is because in order to have a fresh start, you sometimes need to get rid of the old and start from scratch. Creativity was not just about making something beautiful, but also about making something new and different. This is what he believed set artists apart from others; their ability to see the world in a different way and create something new from it.
“If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes.”
“The chief enemy of creativity is ’good’ sense.”
“Ah, good taste! What a dreadful thing! Good taste is the enemy of creativeness.”
If you want to be more creative, start by saying goodbye to good taste. Stop censoring yourself and let your ideas flow freely. You may just surprise yourself with what you come up with.
“Without great solitude no serious work is possible.”
“Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.”
“I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.”
“There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun.”
“I do not seek. I find.”
This approach can be applied to any number of endeavors. If you’re feeling stuck, try approaching your project from a different angle and see what you find.
It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
Inspirational Pablo Picasso quotes
In any field, the work is always important. This is something that even the great Pablo Picasso understood. Here are some Pablo Picasso quotes on work and productivity:
“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.”
Picasso reminds us that procrastination is the thief of time. This simple yet powerful quote from Picasso can help us to focus on what’s truly important in our lives and work towards achieving our goals.
“Forcing yourself to use restricted means is the sort of restraint that liberates invention. It obliges you to make a kind of progress that you can’t even imagine in advance.”
“I’m always doing things I can’t do. That’s how I get to do them.”
“You can’t run a without taking risks.”
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.”
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.”
“Success is dangerous. One begins to copy oneself, and to copy oneself is more dangerous than to copy others. It leads to sterility.”
“You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be a vague idea.”
“If you are a genius and unsuccessful, everybody treats you as if you were a genius, but when you come to be successful, when you commence to earn money, when you are really successful, then your family and everybody no longer treats you like a genius, they treat you like a man who has become successful.”
“Everything we can dream can be real.”
“Action is the foundational key to all success.”
Pablo Picasso quotes on war
In the midst of World War II, Pablo Picasso painted one of his most famous works, Guernica. The painting is a harrowing representation of the human costs of war. Here are some Pablo Picasso quotes on war:
“What do you think an artist is? He is a political being, constantly aware of the heartbreak of humanity. An artist must never be a prisoner. Prisoners cannot create.”
“All art is propaganda. It is universally and ineradicably propaganda; sometimes unconsciously, but often deliberately.”
“The people who make art their business are mostly imposter.”
“Painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war.”
“Art is an instrument in the war against the enemy.”
“Whatever the source of emotion that drives me to create, I want to give it a form which has some connection with the visible world, even if it is only to wage war on that world. I want my paintings to be able to defend themselves to resist the invader, just as though there were razor blades on all surfaces so no one could touch them without cutting his hands.”
“We might adapt for the artist the joke about there being nothing more dangerous than instruments of war in the hands of generals. In the same way, there is nothing more dangerous than justice in the hands of judges, and a paint brush in the hands of a painter! Just think of the danger to society! But today we haven’t the heart to expel the painters and poets because we no longer admit to ourselves that there is any danger in keeping them in our midst.”
“Art isn’t done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.”
“No, painting is not interior decoration. It is an instrument of war for attack and defense against the enemy.”
Final thought
Pablo Picasso quotes about art, life, and creativity are still relevant today and inspire people all over the world. His quotes provide a unique perspective on the creative process and the human experience. If you’re ever feeling lost or stuck in a rut, remember Picasso’s words and let them guide you back to your path.
We hope you enjoyed our collection of Pablo Picasso quotes. The great artist was not only a master of his craft, but also had a lot to say about the world around him. We hope you are inspired by his words to create your own art and make your own mark on the world.
Read more: Vincent van Gogh quotes | Andy Warhol quotes | Leonardo da Vinci quotes | Jane Austin quotes.