Pablo Picasso

1881–1973 · Spanish painter, sculptor & co-founder of Cubism

Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881–1973) was a Spanish painter and sculptor who, with Georges Braque, invented Cubism and reshaped twentieth-century art through works from Les Demoiselles d’Avignon to Guernica. He gave relatively few formal statements about his art; the best-documented are the 1923 interview with Marius de Zayas (“Picasso Speaks”) and the 1935 “Conversation avec Picasso” recorded by Christian Zervos. His prolific, aphoristic reputation has made him one of the internet’s favourite magnets for feel-good lines he never actually uttered.

Traced to source

2 quotes we’ve traced to Pablo Picasso

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up”

Disputed

“Everything you can imagine is real”

Disputed

Not actually Pablo Picasso

Often misattributed to Pablo Picasso

Famous lines widely pinned on Pablo Picasso that we’ve traced to someone else.

“I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it”

actually Vincent van Gogh

“The urge to destroy is also a creative urge”

actually Mikhail Bakunin

On the research bench

Commonly pinned on Pablo Picasso — under review

5 lines flagged as pinned on Pablo Picasso and queued for a full source trace — not yet verified.

“I do not seek. I find.”

Disputed

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

Disputed

“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”

Disputed

“God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style. He just goes on trying other things.”

Disputed

“When painters get together they talk about where you can buy the best turpentine.”

Disputed

Did they really say it?

Thought Pablo Picasso said something else?

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