Painter, sculptor, artist, printmaker - Pablo Ruiz Picasso was an artist of nearly unmatched talent. A true dynamo of his time. In fact, the depth of his talent and the renown of his name seems to hint at an ancient master. Many forget that Picasso was still alive in the 1970s, and still producing fantastic art towards the end of his days.


He also necessarily had many contemporaries in the art world, as he was active as an artist for over 70 years - from the late 1800s until the early 1970s. During his career, he played a central role in the development of several major art movements, including cubism, surrealism, and modern art more broadly.

Here are some of his most notable contemporaries and counterparts:

  • Georges Braque: French painter and sculptor who, along with Picasso, is considered one of the founders of cubism.

  • Henri Matisse: French artist who was a leading figure in the fauvist movement and is widely regarded as one of the greatest colorists in the history of art.

  • Marc Chagall: Russian-born artist who was associated with the expressionist movement and is known for his colorful, dreamlike paintings.

  • Salvador Dali: Spanish surrealist artist known for his bizarre and irrational imagery.

  • Wassily Kandinsky: Russian painter who is considered one of the pioneers of abstract art.

While none quite match the depth and breadth of Picasso's works, all of these artists were active during the same time period and played important roles in the development of modern art, alongside the legendary man himself.