Modigliani, Picasso and André Salmon in front the Café de la Rotonde, Paris. Image taken by Jean Cocteau in Montparnasse, Paris in 1916. Amedeo Modigliani (1884–1920), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pablo Picasso Quiz

How much do you know about Pablo Picasso?

Embark on a journey through the life and art of one of the most influential figures in 20th-century art. This Pablo Picasso Quiz offers a chance to explore the depths of Picasso's revolutionary contributions to modern art.

From the evocative blues of his early period to the fragmented forms of Cubism, each question is an invitation to delve deeper into the story of a man whose creativity reshaped the boundaries of artistic expression.

Whether you're a seasoned art aficionado or new to the world of Picasso, prepare to engage with the fascinating world of an artist who continually reinvented the canvas. Let's see how well you know the master of modern art, Pablo Picasso!

Start the Picasso quiz

Questions and answers about Picasso

• What nationality was Pablo Picasso?

  Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter and sculptor, born in Málaga, Spain. He spent most of his adult life in France, but his Spanish roots profoundly influenced his art, especially evident in works like "Guernica," which reflects on a Spanish civil war event.

  • Spanish
  • French
  • Italian
  • German

• Who co-founded Cubism with Pablo Picasso?

  Pablo Picasso, along with another influential artist, co-founded Cubism, an avant-garde movement that revolutionized modern art. This style is characterized by fragmented and abstracted representations, presenting subjects from multiple perspectives simultaneously.

  • Georges Braque
  • Henri Matisse
  • Salvador Dalí
  • Marcel Duchamp

• In what city was Picasso born?

  Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga, Spain. His birth in this vibrant city in 1881 marked the beginning of a life that would become highly influential in 20th-century art. Picasso's Spanish heritage played a significant role in his personal and artistic identity throughout his life.

  • Málaga
  • Barcelona
  • Madrid
  • Seville

• What is the name of Picasso's famous Blue Period painting depicting a hunched over old guitarist?

  One of Picasso's most famous paintings from his Blue Period is "The Old Guitarist." Created between 1903 and 1904, this work depicts an emaciated old man hunched over a guitar. It reflects the themes of human suffering and anguish that dominated Picasso's Blue Period.

  • The Old Guitarist
  • Blue Nude
  • Guitarist
  • The Blue Guitarist

• How many times did Picasso get married?

  Pablo Picasso was married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was to Olga Khokhlova, a Russian ballet dancer, in 1918. After their divorce, Picasso married Jacqueline Roque in 1961, who was his last spouse until his death in 1973.

  • Twice
  • Once
  • Three times
  • Never

• Picasso was a painter and a sculptor. Name another artistic medium he was known for.

  Besides painting and sculpting, Pablo Picasso was also known for his work in ceramics. Picasso took up ceramics in his later years, creating plates, bowls, pitchers, and vases that reflected his unique artistic style and vision.

  • Ceramics
  • Photography
  • Engraving
  • Performance Art

• Which famous sculpture by Picasso can be found in Chicago's Daley Plaza?

  The famous sculpture by Picasso located in Chicago's Daley Plaza is known simply as "The Picasso." Unveiled in 1967, this untitled monumental sculpture was a gift from Picasso to the city of Chicago and has since become an iconic landmark.

  • The Picasso
  • The Chicago Bull
  • Woman's Head
  • Man with a Guitar

• What is the title of Picasso's work that broke the record for the most expensive painting sold at auction in 2015?

  In 2015, Pablo Picasso's 'Les Femmes d'Alger (Version 'O')' broke the record for the most expensive painting sold at auction, selling for $179.3 million. This vibrant and complex painting, part of a series inspired by Delacroix and the women of Algiers, fetched a remarkable price, showcasing Picasso's enduring market appeal.

  • Les Femmes d'Alger (Version 'O')
  • Guernica
  • The Weeping Woman
  • Girl Before a Mirror

• Picasso’s full name is exceptionally long. Can you name three of his other names besides Pablo?

  Pablo Picasso's full name, which he was given at birth, is Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso. His name combines a series of traditional Spanish names honoring various saints and relatives.

  • Diego, Francisco, Juan
  • Carlos, Manuel, Luis
  • Miguel, Rafael, Pedro
  • Antonio, Fernando, José

• What was the name of Picasso's first major exhibition, held in Paris in 1901?

  Picasso's first major exhibition was held at the Galerie Vollard in Paris in 1901. This exhibition was a crucial turning point in Picasso's career, marking his entrance into the Parisian art scene and the beginning of his rise to fame.

  • Galerie Vollard
  • Le Barc de Boutteville
  • Louvre Museum
  • Salon d'Automne

• What is the name of the artistic period that followed Picasso's Blue Period?

  Following the Blue Period, Picasso entered a phase where his palette brightened, marking a transition from the somber blues to warmer shades. This period, lasting from 1904 to 1906, is known for its use of pink and rose colors and a more optimistic tone in his works.

  • Rose Period
  • Neoclassical Period
  • Cubist Period
  • Surrealist Period

• Name one of Picasso's famous muses and lovers who was also a photographer and painter.

  Dora Maar, a photographer and painter, was one of Picasso's most famous muses and lovers. She was a talented artist in her own right and is particularly known for her documentation of Picasso's creation of "Guernica."

  • Dora Maar
  • Marie-Thérèse Walter
  • Françoise Gilot
  • Olga Khokhlova

• Which war influenced Picasso to create the "Guernica"?

  The Spanish Civil War was the primary influence behind Picasso's creation of "Guernica." The painting was a response to the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica by Nazi German and Fascist Italian warplanes at the request of the Spanish Nationalists.

  • Spanish Civil War
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • The Franco-Prussian War

• What was the main subject of Picasso's early works in his childhood?

  In his childhood, Picasso's early works were primarily focused on realistic depictions of people and landscapes. These subjects were influenced by his father, who was an art teacher and traditional painter, emphasizing classical techniques and realism.

  • People and landscapes
  • Animals and nature
  • Abstract forms
  • Political themes

• How old was Picasso when he completed his first painting?

  Picasso completed his first painting, "Le Picador," a depiction of a bullfight, when he was just 9 years old. This early painting already displayed his burgeoning artistic talent and interest in Spanish themes that would appear throughout his career.

  • 9 years old
  • 7 years old
  • 12 years old
  • 5 years old

• Name the avant-garde art movement that Picasso and his work are often associated with in the early 20th century. 

  In the early 20th century, Pablo Picasso was a key figure in the development of Cubism, an avant-garde art movement. Cubism revolutionized the way artists viewed and depicted the world, breaking away from traditional perspectives and representing subjects from multiple angles.

  • Cubism
  • Surrealism
  • Fauvism
  • Abstract Expressionism

• What was the name of Picasso’s last wife, who was also his muse?

  Picasso's last wife, who was also a significant muse in his later works, was Jacqueline Roque. They married in 1961, and she remained with Picasso until his death in 1973. Jacqueline had a profound influence on Picasso's art, appearing in many of his later paintings.

  • Jacqueline Roque
  • Françoise Gilot
  • Dora Maar
  • Olga Khokhlova

• Which of the following quotes is attributed to Pablo Picasso?

  From the proposed quotes, the one correctly attributed to Pablo Picasso is "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." This reflects his belief in the innate creativity of children and the challenge of maintaining this creativity into adulthood.

  • "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
  • "Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable."
  • "In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine."
  • "Creativity takes courage."

• Which famous American writer and art collector was a close friend of Picasso?

  Gertrude Stein, the famous American writer and art collector, was a close friend of Picasso. Stein was an early supporter and collector of his work, and Picasso even painted her portrait in 1906, which became one of his most famous works.

  • Gertrude Stein
  • Ernest Hemingway
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Henry Miller

• Picasso was involved in the creation of a ballet. What was its name?

  Picasso was involved in the creation of the ballet "Parade," which premiered in 1917. He collaborated with the Ballets Russes, composing the set and costume designs. "Parade" was a pioneering work that combined Cubism with other modernist influences in a ballet setting.

  • Parade
  • The Rite of Spring
  • Swan Lake
  • Boléro

• How many children did Picasso have?

  Picasso had four children with three different women. His children are Paulo (with Olga Khokhlova), Maya (with Marie-Thérèse Walter), Claude, and Paloma (both with Françoise Gilot). Each child had a unique relationship with their father and his artistic legacy.

  • Four; Paulo, Maya, Claude, Paloma
  • Three; Paulo, Claude, Paloma
  • Two; Maya, Paloma
  • Five; Paulo, Maya, Claude, Paloma, Jean

• In which year did Picasso join the French Communist Party?

  Picasso joined the French Communist Party in 1944, shortly after the Liberation of Paris during World War II. His joining was influenced by his political beliefs and the events of the time, and he remained a member for the rest of his life.

  • 1944
  • 1937
  • 1955
  • 1968

• How many paintings did Picasso create in his "Las Meninas" series inspired by Diego Velázquez, and over what period of time were these works completed?

  In his reinterpretation of Diego Velázquez's "Las Meninas," Picasso created 58 paintings. This notable series, showcasing his unique perspective and style, was completed over several months in the year 1957.

  • 58 paintings, over several months in 1957
  • 45 paintings, throughout the year 1956
  • 35 paintings, over a span of two years from 1956 to 1958
  • 65 paintings, within a month in 1957

• Name one of Picasso’s works that incorporates elements of African art.

  "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" is a notable work by Picasso that incorporates elements of African art. Created in 1907, this painting is considered a crucial precursor to Cubism and reflects the influence of African masks and sculptures on Picasso's style.

  • Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
  • The Old Guitarist
  • Three Musicians
  • Girl Before a Mirror

• What did Picasso use to create his first collage, "Still Life with Chair Caning"?

  In "Still Life with Chair Caning," Picasso used oilcloth printed with a chair caning pattern, pasted onto the canvas. This groundbreaking work, created in 1912, is considered the first collage in modern art and marked a significant development in his and Braque's Cubist experiments.

  • Oilcloth with a chair caning pattern
  • Newspaper clippings
  • Wooden pieces
  • Photographs

• In which city did Picasso establish his famous art studio "Le Bateau-Lavoir"?

  Picasso established his famous art studio "Le Bateau-Lavoir" in Paris. Located in the Montmartre district, this studio was a melting pot for artists in the early 20th century and played a crucial role in the development of modern art.

  • Paris
  • Barcelona
  • Málaga
  • Madrid

• How did Picasso respond to a Nazi officer's question about "Guernica" being his work?

  When a Nazi officer, upon seeing a photograph of "Guernica," asked Picasso if he had done that, Picasso reportedly responded, "No, you did." This legendary response highlights Picasso's defiance and the painting's powerful message against the brutality of war.

  • "No, you did."
  • "Yes, it's my creation."
  • "It's a reflection of the times."
  • "Art speaks for itself."

• What type of shirt is famously associated with Pablo Picasso, often seen in photographs and contributing to his iconic artist image?

  Pablo Picasso was often photographed wearing a certain type of shirt, which has become an iconic part of his image as an artist. This shirt style is distinctive and was a favorite in his wardrobe, contributing to the public's visual impression of Picasso.

  • Breton striped shirt
  • Plain white dress shirt
  • Floral patterned shirt
  • Black turtleneck shirt

Argentina. Revista Vea y Lea, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

About Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer who is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He was born on October 25, 1881, in Málaga, Spain, and he spent most of his adult life in France. Picasso is best known for co-founding the Cubist movement and for the wide variety of styles that he helped develop and explore.

Here are some key points about Picasso and his work:

Early Life and Training: Picasso showed a prodigious talent for art from a young age. His father, who was an art teacher, began training him in drawing and painting when he was just a child.

Blue and Rose Periods: Early in his career, Picasso went through a couple of distinct phases known as the Blue Period (1901-1904) and the Rose Period (1904-1906). The Blue Period is characterized by somber, monochromatic blue and blue-green paintings, often depicting themes of poverty, loneliness, and despair. The Rose Period is marked by a lighter tone and palette, including pinks and oranges, and featuring circus scenes and harlequins.

Cubism: Alongside French artist Georges Braque, Picasso developed Cubism, a revolutionary artistic style that abandoned traditional single-point perspective. Cubist works depict subjects from multiple angles, often in fragmented, abstract forms. One of his most famous Cubist works is "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907).

Guernica: Perhaps Picasso's most famous work is "Guernica" (1937), a monumental mural-sized canvas depicting the horrors of the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. This work has become a universal symbol of anti-war sentiment.

Later Years and Styles: Picasso continued to evolve his style throughout his life, experimenting with different techniques and mediums. He produced a significant body of work that includes ceramics, etching, and linocut, as well as painting.

Legacy: Picasso's impact on art is immense. He is credited with pioneering multiple styles and influencing countless artists. His works are displayed in museums around the world, and he is often considered alongside artists like Marcel Duchamp and Henri Matisse as one of the artists who most defined the direction of modern art.

Picasso's personal life was as colorful and complex as his art, characterized by a series of relationships and marriages, and his influence extends beyond his artistic achievements to his status as a cultural icon. He passed away on April 8, 1973, in Mougins, France.