subject: 5 Famous Painters Who Were Womanizers [print this page] 5 Famous Painters Who Were Womanizers 5 Famous Painters Who Were Womanizers
Pablo Picasso
From his first lover of nine years, Fernande Olivier, who he locked up in the house when he left (often to meet another lover), to the Russian ballet artist who had a nervous breakdown and stalked him after their marriage ended, the Spanish painter lived most of his life in Paris, working on his art and going from one affair, lover, and/or marriage to the next.
Marie-Therese Walter wanted to be Picasso's wife after bearing his first daughter, but she never did, and tragically, hung herself in her garage a few years after his death. Francoise Gilot, who at 23 years old began a 10-year relationship with Picasso beginning in his sixties, had two children with the brilliant painter. But during their relationship, he began an affair with Jacqueline Roque. She was devoted to him, becoming his muse, lover, secretary, and all-around supporter, but she committed suicide after the 20 year long relationship ended.
Gustav Klimt
Although the Austrian symbolist painter's life was cut short by pneumonia in his 55th year in 1918, the creator of "The Kiss" lived a life of devotion to his work and to women. He was fascinated with "women's nature" and used his paintings to explore them. He was well known for wearing a long, simple robe with nothing underneath, and although he kept his affairs out of the public eye, he asked his nude models to do things no self-respecting Playboy model would do today!
Raphael
The 16th century Italian art historian Vasari wrote that Raphael died at age 37 from a fever he caught after a night of wild and exhausting sex. And that's just the beginning.
The genius Italian Renaissance painter was engaged for six years to the niece of his patron, one of the famous Medici family. But he was reluctant and spent six years with many, many other women. Finally, after his fianc died, Margherita Luti became the object of Raphael's affection (and apparently, the cause of his death). She was a baker's daughter, and he named one of his most famous paintings, La Fornarina, after her.
Diego Rivera
Four legitimate children, one illegitimate child, four and a half wives, and a nanny who claimed to be his first lover; the Mexican muralist lived from 1886 to 1957 and never slowed down in his artistic or love lives. Rivera's third and fourth marriagesthis is where "four and a half wives" comes into playwere both to the painter Frida Kahlo. His many indiscretions and fiery temper were the cause for their first divorce in 1939, but they got married again the very next year.
Paul Gaugin
Gaugin left his wife and children in Denmark to paint full time, but growing frustrated with Europe, went to Tahiti, where he was known to have several affairs with barely-pubescent girls. Van Gogh was in love with Gaugin, but Gaugin never returned the affection despite his speculated bisexuality.
Guagin's trajectory as an artist and as a person was both unpredictable and characterized by uncertainty. The charismatic French Post-Impressionist painter died at age 54 in 1903 of syphilis just prior to the beginning of a 3-month jail sentence.
