Picasso is, undoubtedly, one of the most famous artists that Spain and the world has ever produced and, while he lived in various places and is celebrated in different cities around the globe, his hometown is a must-see for those who are major fans of his work. Just find a vacation rental in Málaga and come discover the beautiful city that birthed one of the great masters of 20th century art, not to mention one of the finest collections of his work in the world in the Museo Picasso of Málaga. For an excellent overview of Picasso’s oeuvre, this little gem is a must!
Inaugurated by the King and Queen of Spain on the 27th of October 2003, after 50 whole years of planning, the museum is made up of a collection of more than 200 works that were donated and loaned to the museum by Christine Ruiz-Picasso (wife of Paul, Picasso’s eldest son) and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso (Picasso's grandson). It is housed in the painstakingly restored and carefully adjusted Renaissance gem, Palacio de Buenavista, in the heart of the historic core of the city, not far from the Alcazaba Fortress and Gibralfaro Castle.
Inaugurated by the King and Queen of Spain on the 27th of October 2003, after 50 whole years of planning, the museum is made up of a collection of more than 200 works that were donated and loaned to the museum by Christine Ruiz-Picasso (wife of Paul, Picasso’s eldest son) and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso (Picasso's grandson). It is housed in the painstakingly restored and carefully adjusted Renaissance gem, Palacio de Buenavista, in the heart of the historic core of the city, not far from the Alcazaba Fortress and Gibralfaro Castle.
The collection is made up of pieces in different styles, materials, and techniques, and charts almost all of Picasso’s career, with just a couple of gaps as the Blue and Rose periods of his oeuvre are not well represented. Despite this, there are some truly wonderful and representative pieces in the collection that you won’t see elsewhere. The works are displayed in 12 halls across the building and include classic Picasso works such as “Olga Kokhlova with Mantilla” (1917), “Mother and Child” (1921-1922) and “Portrait of Paulo with white hat” (1923) as well as precious gems like his painting of his sister, Lola, that was produced when Picasso was just 13, and lots of sketches.
In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also regularly plays host to temporary exhibitions, as well as educational and cultural activities centred around Picasso-related topics. Furthermore, there is an excellent café and bookstore to help round off the whole visit nicely.
Worth noting is that the entrance cost includes an audio guide, which is available in nine languages including Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. Furthermore, the current temporary exhibition will run from the 18th of June until the 1st of September 2019 and is entitled, “Bruce Nauman. Rooms, Bodies, Words.” This exhibition, co-curated by the German professor Eugen Blume, and by the artistic director of the Picasso Málaga Museum, José Lebrero Stals, brings together almost a hundred works across various media from architectural installations to sculptures, installations to neons, videos to drawings, serigraphs to photographs, and much more besides and is the American artist’s first Spanish exhibition in 25 years.
If you are planning a visit to the museum, you might also consider popping around the corner to the Plaza de la Merced, where you will find the Casa Natal, or Birthplace of Picasso. Open to the public since 1988, it now houses an exhibition that details how life was for the artist in his early years in Málaga. Only a short distance apart, it is very doable to visit both at the same time and to do so would give a much fuller picture of the artist, his life, and his work.
In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also regularly plays host to temporary exhibitions, as well as educational and cultural activities centred around Picasso-related topics. Furthermore, there is an excellent café and bookstore to help round off the whole visit nicely.
Worth noting is that the entrance cost includes an audio guide, which is available in nine languages including Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. Furthermore, the current temporary exhibition will run from the 18th of June until the 1st of September 2019 and is entitled, “Bruce Nauman. Rooms, Bodies, Words.” This exhibition, co-curated by the German professor Eugen Blume, and by the artistic director of the Picasso Málaga Museum, José Lebrero Stals, brings together almost a hundred works across various media from architectural installations to sculptures, installations to neons, videos to drawings, serigraphs to photographs, and much more besides and is the American artist’s first Spanish exhibition in 25 years.
If you are planning a visit to the museum, you might also consider popping around the corner to the Plaza de la Merced, where you will find the Casa Natal, or Birthplace of Picasso. Open to the public since 1988, it now houses an exhibition that details how life was for the artist in his early years in Málaga. Only a short distance apart, it is very doable to visit both at the same time and to do so would give a much fuller picture of the artist, his life, and his work.
The Museo Picasso is the most visited museum in all of Andalusia and is the culmination of a Picasso’s own desire for his work to be put on display in the city of his birth. It truly is a must for Picasso fans and art lovers planning on visiting this part of Spain!
Museo Picasso Málaga
Palacio de Buenavista c/ San Agustín, 8
29015 Málaga, España.
(34) 952 12 76 00
info@museopicassomalaga.org
Opening Hours:
March-June: open daily 10am-7pm
July-August: open daily 10am-8pm
September-October: open daily 10am-7pm
November-February: open daily 10am-6pm
Christmas: 24th and 31st December and 5th January, 10am-3pm
Closed on 25th December, 1st and 6th January
Tickets:
Standard fee: €8
Reduced fee (visitors over 65, holders of Euro Youth Card and students under 26 with valid identification): €6
Free admission for people with disabilities with valid identification (+ a person accompanying the disabled person when their assistance is required to facilitate the visit), unemployed people registered at SEPE, youths aged 16 and younger children (under 13 accompanied by an adult), students of the Universidad de Málaga with valid identification, credited teachers, ICOM Members, as well as for all on Sundays during the last two opening hours, the Day of Andalusia (28th of February), International Museum Day (18th of May) and World Tourism Day (27th of September).
Museo Picasso Málaga
Palacio de Buenavista c/ San Agustín, 8
29015 Málaga, España.
(34) 952 12 76 00
info@museopicassomalaga.org
Opening Hours:
March-June: open daily 10am-7pm
July-August: open daily 10am-8pm
September-October: open daily 10am-7pm
November-February: open daily 10am-6pm
Christmas: 24th and 31st December and 5th January, 10am-3pm
Closed on 25th December, 1st and 6th January
Tickets:
Standard fee: €8
Reduced fee (visitors over 65, holders of Euro Youth Card and students under 26 with valid identification): €6
Free admission for people with disabilities with valid identification (+ a person accompanying the disabled person when their assistance is required to facilitate the visit), unemployed people registered at SEPE, youths aged 16 and younger children (under 13 accompanied by an adult), students of the Universidad de Málaga with valid identification, credited teachers, ICOM Members, as well as for all on Sundays during the last two opening hours, the Day of Andalusia (28th of February), International Museum Day (18th of May) and World Tourism Day (27th of September).
