Doubtless, Picasso was one of the greatest artists of all times. Like Leonardo­ da-Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Rubens, he was a creator par excellence. He excelled as a pioneer not only in paintings, but also in sculptures, graphics, ceramics and in designing the stage decor. In one respect, Picasso was even unique in that "probably no painter in history has been so much written  about-attacked and defended, explained and obscured, slandered and honoured by so  many writer with so many words at least during his life time".

Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born  on October 25, 1881, in Malaga, Spain. After his initial training in Spain, he went to Paris.  He showed his professional  talents in the works usually painted during late 1901 to early 1904. This is commonly called the 'Blue Period'. During  this period, more or less, he abandoned painting of the landscapes, street scenes, dance halls and flower pieces, etc. in order to concentrate only on the human  figures. From 1905 onwards, more natural  style developed emphasising a kind of sweetness in the series of Circus people.  His paintings began to reveal the 'Classic' characteristics, more objective in feelings and full of freshness, repost.  and  tranquility.  In order to paint his new classic forms, Picasso usually used  colours  such  as pinks and tans, at times, contrasting them with ochres and olives or pale blue which were often dominated by a reddish mono­ chromatic effect. This effect was so obvious that this period i.e., between later part of 1905-1906, is usually called as the "Rose Period".

Alongwith George Braque, Picasso evolved "Cubism" and became its dominating force. Cubist artists broke  up natural forms such as figures, draperies, landscapes and  still  life  etc.  into  planes  which  are tilted, shifted and compressed into the limited  defined space. The emphasis was on semi-abstract  designs  and  other  formal elements. From 1907 onwards, Cubism had at least three principal   variations: First,  "Analytical  Cubism"  which  requires that,  motivated   by  the  spirit  of  analysis and investigation, the artist dissects natural forms, reducing  them  to  semi-geometrical shapes. These   are   then   again   broken, dislocated  or  flattened  into  rectangular  or semi-circular segments.  Second, "Synthetic Cubism" which  emphasizes the conceptual approach  and  a  synthesis  of  the  varying views of the object or their semblances en the picture plane, and also  permits  the  use of  arbitrary  and  varied  texture,  materials, colours  and  a  free  combination  of  quasi­geometric shapes-extremely remote in character from the original image. Third, 'Curvilinear Cubism' according to which cubist or semi-cubist abstract pictures are produced through curves which along with other elements later paved the way for the 'Convulsive' and 'Disquieting' works, resembling certain elements of Surrealism.

During the 1920s even when Picasso was involved  in Cubism and was attracted towards certain      manifestations of Surrealism, simultaneously he also painted in the "Neoclassical" style. Picasso also believed that, at times, an artist is also a, "Political  being"  and  a  painting  is  not done merely to decorate the apartment but "is also an instrument of war for attack and defence against the enemy". This is amply demonstrated by his greatest master­ piece "Guernica, 1937".

The painting "Three Musicians" done at Fontainebleau during the summer of 1921 is certainly the high point. of Synthetic Cubism, at least among those which accentuate the rectilinear phase.

Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department feels honoured to issue a commemorative stamp in honour of Pablo Picasso.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India