Skip to main content

Featured

Vincent Van Gogh 9. The Sadness Will Last Forever

Thanks to his brother Theo, an exhibition of Vincent Van Gogh's work was held. For the first time, critics praised his paintings. Vincent, who had only ever received no reviews or bad ones, found it hard to believe that his work was finally being appreciated. He wanted to rush to the exhibition, but... Vincent couldn't leave the asylum. His seizures had worsened, making it impossible for him to go. Unable to bear the conditions at the Saint-Rémy asylum, Vincent returned to Paris at Theo’s urging. However, his troubled past in the city and his financial disputes with his brother made it unbearable for him to stay. So, he moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, a small town outside Paris. The church at Auvers (1890) In Auvers, Vincent sought help from Dr. Paul Gachet, a physician and painter who had been friends with Paul Cézanne. But Gachet couldn't cure Vincent's deepening mental troubles. Dr. Paul Gachet (1890) Whenever Vincent returned to a clearer state of mind, he would paint rel...
Read more
Labels

Pablo Picasso 2. The Death of Pablo Picasso's Sister and His Path to Becoming an Artist

 Although a prodigy in drawing, Pablo Picasso was just 12 years old—young and still forming his identity. It was a time when he couldn’t yet think deeply, and it was then that a great trial came upon him.

Pablo Picasso had two younger sisters, Lola and Conchita. One day, Conchita fell ill. She developed a high fever and her body started to swell. As her condition worsened and became prolonged, everyone had to prepare for the worst. 

Fourteen-year-old Pablo Picasso, seeing his sister at death's door, cried and prayed desperately: 

“Please don’t take my sister. I will give up drawing. Take my artistic talent and spare my sister.”

Science and Charity (1897)


Despite his heartfelt prayers, God ignored them and took his sister Conchita away. It was then that Picasso made a vow.

“Since you took my sister and left me my talent, I will become an artist.”


In January 1895, Picasso made this vow and thus began his life as an artist. His father moved to Barcelona to provide him with a professional education. After completing basic training, Picasso entered the Royal Academy of San Fernando in Madrid in 1896. 

He frequently visited the Prado Museum, where he was captivated by the realistic and vivid works of Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya, and El Greco.

Alter Boy (1896)

First communion (1896)

At just 15 or 16 years old, Picasso’s drawings were so exceptional that he was rightfully called a prodigy. His talent was extraordinary. At that age, I was probably just playing soccer or drawing stick figures on triangular green mountains.

1899 - Picasso's sister Lola


Updated in 2024.05.24

Labels:

Popular Posts