BIRTHDAY PICASSO ❌ LOVE Picasso was terrified by the notion of dying but looked death directly in the eye with this superbly honest self-portrait of an ancient matador and lover at the end of his long life, desperately trying to hold on to his strength and virility by channeling his energy into painting and more painting. There is a manic quality to those famously penetrating and bottomless black eyes, as much as a terrible sadness at the eventual futility of his purpose. In the end Picasso realized that his art was his legacy and in that he was eternal. Picasso was born today in 1881 and died at the age of 91, painting every day to his end, believing intensely that his life depended on it. This ranks as one of my favorite works by Picasso in any medium because of its brutal and deeply personal truth of expression. In the words of David Bowie: "My death waits like a bible truth At the funeral of my youth Weep loud for that - And the passing time My death waits like A witch at night As surely as our love is bright Let's not think of the passing time But whatever lies behind the door There is nothing much to do. Angel or devil, I don't care For in front of the door... There is you." #pablopicasso #loveanddeath #fightingdeath #eternal #paintingtillyouaredead Music - David Bowie #davidbowie (bij Amsterdam, Netherlands)