On the 8th of April 1973, 50 years ago, we lost an artist that dominated the modern European art scene for more than 25 years.
Pablo Picasso died at the age of 91 after creating an estimated 50 000 artworks throughout his life.
Picasso celebrated a long and prolific career as an artist and his incredible talent and creativity has made him one of the most influential artists of the 20th century with his impact on the art world still being felt today.
His artistic style and innovation had a profound influence on generations of artists and inspired some of the other greats including Gorges Braque, Willem de Kooning, Francis Bacon, and Salvador Dalí.
Over the years as a highly sought-after artist, Picasso was the subject of many forgeries and fake Picasso paintings started surfacing in the market. These fake Picasso paintings could be identified were flagged for inconsistencies including an incorrect signature and anachronistic elements.
Picasso's work are legendary at auction with Les Femmes d'Alger (Version O) setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a work of art at auction at Christie's in New York in 2015. The hammer fell at $179.4 million, bought by a former Qatari Prime Minister.
If you would like to experience seeing an original Picasso artwork in person, here are our top 3 museums to visit:
1. Musée Picasso, Paris France.
This museum houses one of the largest collections of Picasso's artworks in the world and boasts more than 5 000 paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics.
2. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid Spain.
This museum is home to Picasso's iconic anti-war masterpiece "Guernica" as well as many other important pieces.
3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art & The Museum of Modern Art, New York City USA.
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is permanently displayed at the MOMA alongside many other masterpieces.
Pablo Picasso's influence on the art world continues to be felt long after after his passing, and his work will, no doubt, continue, for many years to come, be studied and celebrated by artists, art lovers and scholars around the world.
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