Legacy story: A lesson from Pablo Picasso about your works worth

A woman was strolling through the charming streets of Paris, taking in the beauty of the city, when she noticed a familiar face sitting at a café, sipping his coffee. Her heart skipped a beat, there, right before her eyes, was none other than Pablo Picasso, the legendary artist. Overcome with excitement, she hesitated for a moment, then gathered the courage to approach him. With great enthusiasm, she expressed her admiration, telling him how much she adored his work. She then made a bold request—she asked if he would be willing to sketch a quick portrait of her. “Please, Monsieur Picasso,” she pleaded, “it would mean the world to me. I would gladly pay you whatever you ask for it.” Picasso looked at her for a moment, then nodded. He pulled out a sheet of paper and a pencil. With swift, effortless strokes, he captured her likeness. In just a few minutes, he completed a simple yet stunning portrait, unmistakably in his signature style. The woman was in awe. She held the drawing as if it were a priceless treasure. “Oh! It is magnificent! I will cherish this forever. Now, tell me, what do I owe you?” she asked eagerly.

Picasso took a sip of his coffee and calmly replied, “Fifteen thousand francs.” The woman’s eyes widened in shock. “Fifteen thousand francs?! But… but it only took you a couple of minutes!” she protested. Picasso met her gaze and, with a knowing smile, replied, “No, madam, that is where you are mistaken. It took me my entire life.” At that moment, the woman understood. What she had witnessed in those few minutes was not just a simple drawing, it was the result of decades of practice, countless hours of hard work, and a lifetime of dedication. Picasso’s ability to create something so quickly and beautifully was only possible because of the years he had spent honing his craft.