Picasso once said, "I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them" (qtd. in True 11). Consequently, this led him to move to Paris, where experimentation for art was practiced and classical styles were rejected. In Paris, he roomed with his longtime friend Carles Casagemes. Picasso found inspiration in Paris, whereas Carles found love. When the love ended, he found despair and later killed himself. This tragedy led to Picasso's infamous "Blue Period." During this time, he painted beggars, prisoners, tramps, and drunks all in blue to further push the depressive tone. Picasso stayed in Montmartrae where Bohemian influence helped him move his interest and styles to what is known as the "Rose Period." His paintings changed to warm, rich tones that reflected his exposure to the Medrano Circus. While living in Paris, he absorbed the many works available through museum and art exhibits. It was here he became fascinated by African art. The artwork and tribal masks inspired him to a new style. .
The painting Les Demoiselles d" Avignon (see attachment A), which reflected his new style of cubism, sparked controversy among Picasso's friends, critics, and peers. One particular writer exclaimed, "They were horrified - he had taken the classical subject of the female body and made it angular and ugly, not beautiful" (Scarborough 16). Picasso combined warm and cool tones of abstract oddities such as a woman with her back to you, but her head is on backwards. Two of the women have mask like faces. This bold painting was different than any other. Some believe this was the beginning of modern art. One particular artist, Georges Braque, at first, found it horrendous, but later grew to appreciate the complexity of Picasso's new style. In fact, they partnered for a short period of time to develop a technique known as Collage (they incorporated string, cardboard, and rubbish into their pieces).