Pablo Picasso confronts the threat of fascism in Spain, and Young Pablo rejects traditional painting to search for his own voice.

Picasso's relationship with Dora Maar is strained by war. Young Pablo succeeds by imitating the masters, but struggles to be original.

Pablo meets his first wife, a ballerina, while designing a ballet. Older Picasso struggles to manage his complex family.

Younger Picasso finds respite from his strained marriage with Olga in the arms of his newest muse: Marie-Thérèse Walter. However, their romance is short-lived, cause soon he crosses paths with Dora Maar. Meanwhile, Françoise Gilot defies Older Picasso and pursues her artistic goals.

After Françoise Gilot leaves him, Pablo finds companionship with a new woman. In near seclusion, Pablo obsesses over creating the perfect painting. Meanwhile, Françoise struggles to escape Picasso's shadow even after remarrying and moving to the US.