Claude Ruiz-Picasso, Pablo Picasso’s younger son, has passed away in Switzerland at the age of 76.
The news of his death was confirmed by his long-time lawyer, Jean-Jacques Neuer.
In a statement released, Neuer mentioned, “Claude Ruiz-Picasso, the son of the legendary artist Pablo Picasso, has passed on. He took on the role of administrator for Picasso’s estate from 1989 to 2023. He is survived by his wife, Sylvie Picasso, formerly Vautier, and their two children, Jasmin and Solal.”
Pablo Picasso is known not only for his artistic genius but also for his intricate personal life, having been married twice, maintaining several relationships, and fathering four children. Claude was the son of Françoise Gilot, born in 1947. The couple also had a daughter, Paloma, in 1949. Additionally, Picasso had Paulo with his first wife, dancer Olga Khokhlova, in 1921 and another daughter, Maya, with Marie-Thérèse Walter in 1935.
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona, where the iconic artist spent his formative years, responded to the news of Ruiz-Picasso’s passing through a series of posts on X, previously known as Twitter.
The museum extended its condolences, marking 50 years since the demise of the great Spanish artist. It highlighted Ruiz-Picasso’s contributions beyond managing his father’s estate, mentioning his roles as Richard Avedon’s assistant and a photojournalist for renowned publications like Time Life, Vogue, and Saturday Review. The French government recognized his artistic contributions by awarding him the Légion d’honneur in 2011.
Further, the museum honoured Ruiz-Picasso’s dedication as a board member of the Picasso Museum’s Foundation and his tireless efforts in promoting Pablo Picasso’s art to the world.
Ruiz-Picasso played a significant role in the Picasso Celebration project, commemorating 50 years since his father’s death, which included 50 exhibitions and events globally. The project’s website commemorated him with a nostalgic black-and-white photograph of a young Ruiz-Picasso with his illustrious father.
With his passing, fashion designer Paloma Picasso remains the legendary artist’s only living child.
Earlier this year, her mother and Picasso’s former partner, Françoise Gilot, passed away at 101. Gilot began her relationship with Picasso in 1943 when he was 40 years older than her. Their relationship ended in the mid-1950s, after which she married artist Luc Simon.
Claude Ruiz-Picasso’s legacy is a testament to both his own talent and his commitment to preserving and promoting his father’s work. His passing, close on the heels of Françoise Gilot’s demise, marks the end of an era that intimately connected us to one of the art world’s most iconic figures. The world will remember Claude not just as Picasso’s son, but as a distinguished individual who contributed significantly to art, photography, and the curation of his father’s legacy.
