Pablo Picasso, the Spanish artist who made Paris the stage for his creativity, remains one of the most influential and controversial figures in the history of modern art. He was not merely a painter, but a revolutionary force who transformed concepts of beauty and artistic expression, moving masterfully between painting, sculpture, and poetry, leaving an indelible mark on the map of world culture.

From Spain to Paris: The birth of an artistic legend

Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain in 1881, and grew up in an artistic environment thanks to his father, who was a painting teacher. But his ambitions extended beyond the borders of his homeland, so at the beginning of the 20th century, he moved to Paris, which was then the world's art capital and a meeting place for creative minds. Despite immersing himself in the vibrant Parisian life and befriending artists from all corners of the globe, Picasso retained his Spanish spirit, which was clearly reflected in his works. He saw in the circus performances of Montmartre an echo of bullfighting in Spain, and he found in the clown a symbol of tragic human comedy.

The Cubist Revolution and the Redefinition of Art

Paris at that time was a cauldron of new art movements that rebelled against academic traditions. In this context, Picasso, in collaboration with Georges Braque, spearheaded an artistic revolution known as Cubism . His famous painting "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907) heralded the birth of this new movement, which shattered the rules of traditional perspective, presenting forms from multiple angles simultaneously. This was not merely a new style, but a different way of seeing the world, and this shift profoundly influenced the course of art throughout the 20th century and beyond.

Friendships and rivalries: Picasso and Matisse

A constellation of avant-garde artists gathered around Picasso, but his relationship with Henri Matisse was the most distinguished. They were both friends and rivals, each representing a pole in the world of modern art. While Matisse sought harmony and chromatic purity, Picasso delved into the depths of the human psyche and its contradictions. Despite their differing approaches, they maintained a profound mutual respect and admiration that lasted until Matisse's death, with Picasso frequently visiting his friend in the coastal city of Nice.

Art as a Mirror of Life: Artistic Phases and Women

Picasso's personal life, particularly his relationships with women, is key to understanding his artistic transformations. The colors in his paintings chronicle his different phases, from his "Blue Period," reflecting his sadness and poverty, to his "Rose Period," coinciding with his emotional stability. The women in his life, such as Fernand Olivier, Olga Koklova, and Maria Theresa Walter, were not merely lovers, but essential muses for his work, embodying his passion, anger, and love in his paintings and sculptures. He rejected the constraints of marriage and stability, seeking inspiration in the free-spirited romantic relationships that fueled his creative chaos.

Art and Politics: “Guernica” as a Cry Against War

Picasso's art was not detached from the political events that swept through Europe. His monumental mural "Guernica" (1937) the most powerful political statement in the history of art. Picasso painted it as a reaction to the Nazi bombing of the Basque village of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. With its somber, monochromatic colors and its depiction of civilian suffering, this painting has become an enduring global symbol of the tragedies of war and a resounding cry against violence and brutality.

Khaled's legacy: Between poetry and madness

Picasso didn't confine himself to the brush and chisel; his creativity extended to the world of words, as he wrote poetry, which he saw as an extension of his painting. He used to say, "I compose the image, and I paint the poem." This intermingling of the arts reflects a comprehensive genius that refused to conform to any mold. As his friend Fernand described him, Picasso was "a flame that burned through his blood and attracted, like a magnet, everyone who knew him." His legacy is not merely a collection of paintings and sculptures, but a constant call to rebel against the familiar, and an affirmation that art, as he himself said, is "a lie that helps us discover the truth.".

The Iraqi Artists Syndicate announced on Wednesday the death of the great Iraqi artist, Maqsoud Al-Hilli, at the age of 71, after a long struggle with a terminal throat disease, bringing to a close an artistic career full of contributions that enriched the Iraqi conscience for decades.

In a moving official statement published on its Facebook page, the Iraqi Artists Syndicate mourned the late artist with profound words: “With deep sorrow and grief, the Iraqi Artists Syndicate mourns the passing of the artist Maqsoud Al-Hilli.” The Syndicate prayed for God’s mercy and forgiveness for the deceased, and that He grant his family, loved ones, and colleagues patience and solace in this great loss that has befallen the Iraqi artistic community.

The health condition of the late artist had deteriorated significantly in his last days, which necessitated his urgent transfer to Baghdad Medical City Hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit to receive the necessary treatment, but God’s will prevailed.

Context and History: A Voice from the Land of Babylon

The singer Maqsoud Al-Hilli was born in the village of Anana in the province of Hilla (Babylon), a city steeped in history and civilization, and known as a wellspring of poets, intellectuals, and artists. Al-Hilli grew up in a traditional rural environment, immersing himself from a young age in its rich musical heritage, which later shaped his artistic identity. He rose to prominence in the 1970s, considered the golden age of Iraqi song, appearing alongside giants of rural music such as Yass Khader, Hussein Neama, and Saadoun Jaber, and carving out a unique niche for himself thanks to his powerful voice and distinctive performance style.

Artistic significance and cultural impact

Maksad al-Hilli is considered one of the pillars of Iraqi rural singing, an art form characterized by its profound emotion and close connection to the land, its people, and the southern and Euphrates environment. Al-Hilli was renowned for his powerful and unique voice, which enabled him to perform the most challenging rural singing styles and authentic Iraqi mawwals such as the "Abudhiya." He was not merely a singer, but a faithful custodian of the heritage, contributing significantly to documenting this musical genre and protecting it from extinction in the face of modern musical trends.

The passing of Maqsoud Al-Hilli is not only a loss for his family and fans, but a profound loss for Iraqi culture as a whole. With his departure, Iraq loses a truly authentic national voice that served as a living memory of a significant part of its artistic and popular history. Al-Hilli left behind a rich artistic legacy of songs that will remain etched in the hearts of Iraqis, and he established an artistic school that inspired many young artists who sought to follow in his footsteps in preserving authentic Iraqi musical identity.