On the night before his death, Pablo Picasso was hosting his friends at his villa in Notre-Dame de Vie when he abruptly excused himself from the dinner table.
He was 91 years old and had been ill for weeks. Those around him recall he seemed to be in good spirits that night, however, urging his guests to drink to his health. Just before midnight, he got up and announced he had to return to work.
This was typical of the Spanish artist, who would work for long hours daily until he was physically exhausted. That night, he would go on to paint until 3am before lumbering to bed.
The next morning, on April 8, 1973, he awoke unable to move.
His wife, Jacqueline Roque, rushed to call for help, but by the time a doctor arrived, Picasso was dead. His death was attributed to a heart attack and pulmonary edema, fluid in the lungs. Saturday marks 50 years since his death.
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