José Ruiz Blasco

José Ruiz y Blasco (12 April 1838 – 3 May 1913) was a Spanish painter, art teacher, and the father of artist Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881–1973).

Family life José Ruiz y Blasco was born in Málaga, Spain in 1838 and grew up in a middle-class Ruiz y Blasco's father was Diego Ruiz de Almoguera (1798/9-1876), his mother Maria de la Paz Blasco y Echavarria. At 42 years of age, he married María Picasso López (1855–1938), The couple had three children; Pablo was born on 25 October 1881, Dolores, who was nicknamed "Lola", was born in 1884, and Concepción, who was nicknamed "Conchita", was born in 1887. When Pablo was 13 years old, Conchita died at the age of seven from diphtheria.

Career From 1875 to 1890, José Ruiz y Blasco worked as an art teacher at the Escuela Provincial de Bellas Artes San Telmo. He specialised in still lifes, landscapes, and images of doves and pigeons. He also worked as curator and restorer at the Museo Municipal in Málaga.

In 1891 Ruiz y Blasco moved his family to A Coruña and taught at the Escuela de Bellas Artes, In Barcelona, Ruiz y Blasco was a model for his son's artwork and Pablo made numerous portraits of his father. Ruiz y Blasco also helped his son to create some of his artworks, including Science and Charity. He also rented a studio to help Picasso to work.

Later in life, Picasso admitted to the photographer Brassaï the reason why he painted so many bearded men: "Yes, they are all bearded, do you know why? Every time I draw a man, I accidentally think of my father. For me, the man is Don José and he will be like that all my life..."

Death Ruiz y Blasco died in Barcelona in 1913 at the age of 75.

Gallery of paintings