Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso is one of the famous artist of the 20th century. He was one of the co-founders of the Cubist movement and the creator of the world-renown paintings "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" and "Guernica."

On June 9, 2009, one of Picasso's sketchbooks was reportedly stolen from the Picasso Museum in Paris. The book was valued between $9.7 and $13.9 million.http://www.reuters.com/article/artsNews/idUSTRE5583NU20090609

Picasso's work is often divided into periods. From 1901-1904, he had his Blue period, which depicted forlorn people in shades of blue. His move to Paris in 1904 coincided with his Rose period, during which his paintings took on a warmer, more optimistic mood. And, in 1907, he and painter George Braque pioneered the Cubist style of painting. By 1921, Picasso was incorporating elements of collage into his work. During the 1930s, his attention shifted to political and military subjects.

Picasso showed interest in art fom a very early age. His first word was a shortened version of the Spanish word for pencil, lápiz. Picasso's father was a professor of fine arts. In his early teens, Picasso's father found him painting over one of his own skeches. He was so impressed by his young son's skills that he felt somewhat humiliated ...and decided to no longer create his own art. Picasso's earliest and greatest passion was truly painting.