Claude Picasso, son of Pablo Picasso and longtime administrator of his estate, died on Thursday at the age of 76.
Claude Picasso was one of the four children of Picasso and his last surviving son. Notably, he died mere months after his mother Françoise Gilot died in June at the age of 101. Paloma Picasso, Claude’s sister, is now the only surviving child of Picasso.
Over the years, Claude Picasso frequently made the news due to internal conflicts within the family. Claude first came into prominence when he fought a legal battle to be recognized as a legal heir to Picasso (the artist had not married their mother). In 1974, a year after Picasso’s death, the court formally recognized both Claude and Paloma as legitimate children of Picasso.
The biggest driver of conflict was Jacqueline Roque, the second wife of Picasso, who was antagonistic towards other love interests and children of the artist. Famously, she barred both Claude and Paloma, and Pablito (Picasso’s eldest son) from attending their father’s service. After her death, Claude eventually took over the administration of his father’s estate in 1989.
Claude served in this position for the rest of his life, stepping down only last year. Even in this capacity, he often had to contend against other heirs of Picasso. Most infamously, in 1999 Claude sold Picasso’s name and signature to the automobile company Pugeot-Citreon. This was hotly contested by other heirs, most notably Picasso’s granddaughter Marina Picasso.
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It must be noted that 2023 is also being celebrated as the 50th death anniversary of Pablo Picasso, and numerous exhibitions were held to commemorate one of the greatest painters in modern history.
