Picasso's Inspiration

If one were to select the greatest of all the 20th century artists, it is very likely that Picasso would be on the top. He made a fortune of his genius in the later part of his life, and his family goes on doing so today, licensing his name to right and left.

However, if the laws of intellectual property of today had applied in the beginning of his career, it is very possible that he never would have made it. Cubism was created by him and Braque together. It is not unlikely that Braque would have claimed ownership of the style, won a law case and thereby prevented Picasso from ever using it again. Picasso would then not have been able to paint Les demoiselles d'Avignon or Guernica. He would never had risen to fame, and the 20th century would be one great artist short.

According to NPR, Shakespeare wrote only three original plays. The stories for the rest of them he stole from someone else.

Which means that the application of property laws of the 21st century would have killed off both Shakespeare and Picasso.

Which here is mentioned to anyone who thought the laws were there to support great art.


"Bastubadaren" by Tora Vega Holmström