It takes a long time to become young.

Quote of the Week 32

"It takes a long time to become young."

― Pablo Picasso

 

Triggered by John Maeda's compilation of Picasso quotes including

"One starts to get young at 60, and then it’s too late."

See also: https://joemckeever.com/wp/it-takes-a-long-time-to-become-young/

In his book by this title, Garson Kanin, a well-known playwright, told how Pablo Picasso walked into a hall where a massive display of his paintings was being exhibited. The artist strode into the gathering with a beautiful young woman on each arm and a smile on his countenance.

Someone approached him and after the greeting, said, “Sire, I have a question. There is something about your painting that puzzles me.”

The man pointed out that in Picasso’s first paintings, done when he was a young man, the scenes are dark and formal and according to all the standards. But, he said, “The paintings of your latter years are alive and colorful and so youthful! How do you explain that?”

Picasso said, “Oh, it takes a long time to become young.”