Artist Pablo Picasso was one of the most important artists of the 20th century, best known for his Cubist works. Museums have been set up around the world to display his paintings, but the Picasso Museum in Malaga is undoubtedly the one most associated with the painter. The Picasso Museum in the artist’s hometown houses an extensive collection of works by this extraordinary painter.
The Eventful Life of Picasso
Picasso’s childhood
Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born on October 25, 1881 in the Spanish city of Malaga. His father, Don José Ruiz, was also an artist. He mainly paints birds and is also an art professor and curator at a local museum. Pablo was immersed in the art world from an early age and showed early on that he was very good at drawing. At the age of 7, he took art lessons from his father, who taught him to draw and paint.
The blue and pink period
In 1900, Pablo first traveled to Paris, then the European art capital, to live with the journalist and poet Max Jacob. After that, he traveled regularly between Spain and Paris. It was during this period that he created his Blue Period works, in which he painted mostly somber paintings with cool blues. From 1914, his work became more optimistic and warm. During this pink period, his works were mainly purchased by American art collectors Leo and Gertrude Stein. Through her, he also met other art collectors and artists, such as the painter Henri Matisse, who not only inspired him, but became his lifelong friends and rivals.
The death of Picasso and his private collection
He also wrote some poetry during World War II, and after the war his work became more colorful and expressive than before. During this time he had several young girlfriends, including Françoise Gillot, with whom he had two children, Claude and Paloma. In 1961, he married Jacqueline Logue. Picasso died in Mougins in 1973 at the age of 91 while having dinner with his wife and a few friends. Picasso did not sell works unless necessary, so many of his paintings belonged to his own collection. Other works he owns are Matisse and others. The French government levies inheritance taxes on some of his collections. These were later exhibited at the Picasso Museum in Paris.
Negotiations with Picasso
In 1953, the idea of establishing a museum of Pablo Picasso’s work first appeared in his hometown. Picasso himself held discussions with Juan Tenbury Alvarez, the representative of fine arts in the province of Málaga. The Buenavista Palace was subsequently named as the museum’s possible location. This 16th century building was built in the Mudejar style by Diego de Cazalla and served as the family palace for his descendants until the 19th century. In 1939, the building was declared a national monument and purchased by the state in 1946. However, the conversation between Alvarez and Picasso ended in failure.
Opening of the museum
In the 1990s, Christina Ruiz-Picasso, wife of Picasso’s eldest son Paul, worked with the community to organize several Picasso exhibitions. Thus, the idea of a museum dedicated to artists was born again. It was decided to house the new Picasso Museum at the Palacio de Buenavista, the same year the municipality obtained permission from Christine and her son Bernard Ruiz-Picasso to display the still family property Works preserved for 50 years. In 2003, the museum opened to the public and the collections of Christina Ruiz-Picasso and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso were presented to the public for the first time.
The Collection
The museum’s collection includes more than 200 works, including paintings, drawings and sculptures. Most of the works are from his first and last creative period and are mostly lesser-known works. The painter’s most famous works are in the Picasso Museums in Barcelona and Paris, and his most famous work “Guernica” is in the Reina Sofia in Madrid. The museum is divided into twelve exhibition halls. Furthermore, in the basement of the museum, you will find archaeological remains of the city from more than 3,000 years ago. The museum also houses a library, documentation center and auditorium.
Picasso Museum opening hours
- The Picasso Museum in Malaga is open every day from 10am to 7pm, except January 1st to 6th and December 25th.
- In July and August the museum will open an hour later, and in the winter months of November-February, the museum will close an hour earlier.
- On public holidays, the museum closes at 3:00 pm.
- You can enter the museum half an hour before closing time.
Tickets to visit the Picasso Museum
Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online. Children under the age of 16 can enter for free. Plus, you can get in for free during the last two hours before closing every Sunday. Admission is also free on February 28 (Andalusia Day), May 18 (International Museum Day) and September 27 (International Tourism Day).
Our tip: You can book a private guided tour of the museum online. Your guide will give you a detailed introduction to the works in the museum and can answer your questions in person.
How to avoid queuing?
During the holidays, the line at the Picasso Museum can get long. To avoid queuing at the ticket office, it is best to buy tickets online in advance.
How to get to the Picasso Museum?
- On foot: The Picasso Museum is located in the historic center of Malaga, so it is easily accessible on foot from the rest of the city. For example, it is less than five minutes’ walk from the Alcazaba or Malaga Cathedral. From Castillo Gibralfaro you should walk about 20 minutes.
- By car: The closest car parks to the Picasso Museum are at Plaza de la Marina and Alcazaba. You can reach the museum in less than five minutes from both car parks.
Useful information for your visit – Before you can enter the museum, you must go through security. – Free guided tours are available. Wednesday at 12:00 pm in English and Saturday at 1:00 pm in Spanish. Every Tuesday at 17:00 you can take a tour in English to learn more about the architecture of the building and the history of Malaga. – For all tour guides, you must register at the cashier one hour before the tour starts. – At least five people participate in the guided tour. Guided tours are available for up to 25 visitors.