” There is where everything started, There I understood how far I could get ” (Picasso referring to his beginnings in Barcelona )
At the beginning of the twentieth century Barcelona was and important landmark of cultural and artistic avant-garde. Young Picasso moved to Barcelona with his family in 1895. Not long after his arrival , Picasso became involved in the city´s modern artistic scene. Picasso quickly became a regular customer in Els Quatre Gats (Gaudi and Santiago Rusiñol among other regulars) one of the most important meeting points of intellectuals and artists in Barcelona. The lively gatherings held in Els Quatre Gats would help mold Picasso´s modern point of view .
Els 4 Gats in calle Motsió 3
Menu of 4 Gats designed by Picasso
During his years in Barcelona, Picasso went by the so-called blue period. A time of great sadness and anguish in the life of the painter, brought on by the tragic death of his friend Carles Casagemas. Picasso and Casagemas shared a studio in 1900 in Riera de Sant Joan street (now Via Laeitana) . He also shared a studio for a brief period with artist Pau Gargallo in Comerç street 28 . Picasso remained there until his departure to Paris in 1904.
Riera de Sant Joan street 1900, oil on canvas. (View from Picasso´s studio)
Rooftops of Barcelona, 1902 oil on canvas
In 1907 Picasso painted Les Demoiselles d’Avignon named after the Gothic quarter street in Barcelona.
Avignon street in Barcelona
Picasso would remain linked to the city for life , and returned on several occasions. “Barcelona the bright and the beautiful ” he said , 30 years after leaving.
