Picasso's Chromatic Periods
1901–1973Blue Period, Rose Period, Cubism, Neoclassicism, Surrealism — each a revolution in color. The most influential artist of the 20th century.
Oil on canvas across every conceivable technique. Each period has a distinct chromatic signature that defined an entire movement.
Pablo Picasso
1881–1973Spanish
Most influential artist of the 20th century. Blue Period, Rose Period, Cubism, Neoclassicism, Surrealism — each a revolution.
Blue Period: near-monochrome blue. Rose Period: warm pinks and ochres. Cubism: earth tones. Each period has a distinct chromatic signature.
Further reading: Picasso: The Blue and Rose Periods — Marilyn McCully, Raphaël Bouvier, Laurent Le Bon, et al.Blue Period blue
The cold blue of poverty and despair — 1901-1904.
Material: Prussian blue, ultramarine, lead white
RGB(26, 58, 106)
Rose Period pink
Warm pink of circus performers — 1904-1906.
Material: Vermilion, lead white, yellow ochre
RGB(216, 160, 144)
Cubist ochre
Earth-toned fragments of Analytical Cubism.
Material: Yellow ochre, raw umber, raw sienna
RGB(169, 138, 90)
Guernica grey
Newsprint grey of Guernica — color drained by war.
Material: Lamp black, lead white
RGB(90, 90, 90)
Minotaur red
Blood red of the Minotaur series.
Material: Cadmium red, vermilion
RGB(168, 42, 26)
Mediterranean white
Bright Mediterranean light of late studio paintings.
Material: Titanium white, zinc white
RGB(235, 224, 208)
Pigments: Ultramarine · Prussian blue · Lead white · Vermilion · Ochre · Umber · Sienna · Lamp black · Cadmium red · Zinc white · Titanium white
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