In one way or another, I always marked my pictures. But…
“In one way or another, I always marked my pictures. But there were times when I put my signature on the back of the canvas. All my works from the cubist period, until about 1914, have my name and the date on the back side of the stretcher. I know someone spread the story that in Céret, Braque and I decided not to sign our pictures anymore. But that's just a legend!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Picasso clarifies that he consistently signed his works on the back, debunking a myth about stopping signatures during his Cubist period.
In simple terms: He always signed his paintings on the back, despite rumors.
Key Takeaway
Check the back of artworks for signatures.
Themes
art history
myths
authorship
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- gallery labeling
- art authentication
- museum cataloging
- provenance research
Key Concepts
Cubism
artist identity
provenance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do myths about artists influence art valuation?
- What other artist practices are misunderstood?
A Different Perspective
Legends can obscure factual practices, affecting attribution.