The Museums with Picasso’s Best Paintings

“When I was a kid, my mom used to tell me, ‘If you become a soldier, you’ll become a general; if you become a priest, you’ll become a Pope.’ But I wanted to be a painter, and I became Picasso.” On April 8, 1973, one of the greatest painters of the 20th century passed away in Provence. To mark the 50th anniversary of his death, at Civitatis we’re embarking on a journey through the museums around the world with Picasso’s best paintings.

Join us on this special artistic journey as we visit the cities that left an indelible mark on Picasso‘s personal life and artistic career. Are you ready? Let’s go!

Malaga

On October 25, 1881, Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born in Malaga. His birthplace, which you can visit with this ticket to the Picasso Birthplace Museum, is just a few metres away from Plaza de la Merced. In this central square, where there is a statue of the painter, young Pablo began drawing doves for fun.

Walking through the capital of the Costa del Sol is like taking a journey into Picasso’s childhood. The eldest son of drawing professor José Ruiz y Blasco and María Picasso López was baptized in the central Santiago Church.

Of course, art lovers cannot leave Malaga without marvelling at “Woman with Raised Arms,” “Jacqueline Seated,” “The Three Graces,” or “Musketeer with Sword.” All of these paintings can be admired on a guided visit to the Picasso Museum in Malaga, considered the fourth-best museum in Spain. It’s definitely worth a visit!

However, young Pablo didn’t stay in Malaga for long. At the age of 9, he moved with his family to La Coruña, as his father secured a teaching position at the School of Fine Arts in this Galician city.

It was in this northern Spanish city that Picasso’s first exhibition took place. At just 13 years old, the painter already signed his works as Pablo Ruiz.

Barcelona

After a few years in La Coruña, Pablo Picasso was admitted to Barcelona’s School of Fine Arts in 1895. The Catalan capital would mark a turning point in the artist’s life and work. It was precisely in Barcelona that the painter started signing his works as Pablo R. Picasso first and simply as Picasso later.

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is one of the world’s finest museums dedicated to the Malaga-born painter. Its permanent exhibition showcases remarkable masterpieces such as “Science and Charity,” “Portrait of Jaume Sabartés with Ruff and Hat,” and “Las Meninas,” among many other gems.

You can admire these works and learn their stories on a guided visit to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona.

Paris

In the early 20th century, Picasso left Barcelona and settled in Paris. In the French capital, he resided in the iconic Bateau-Lavoir, a building located in Montmartre. It’s no coincidence that he chose to live in the bohemian neighbourhood of Paris. In this vibrant area, the genius of Cubism found a melting pot of intellectuals and artists, where he transitioned from his Blue Period to the Rose Period.

The Montmartre free tour will allow you to discover the hidden corners of the bohemian neighbourhood that captivated the Malaga-born painter. We also recommend visiting the Le Marais district to visit the Hôtel Salé. This distinguished building houses the Picasso Museum in Paris, where remarkable treasures like the painting “Pan’s Flute” are exhibited.

In the French capital, you can also admire other works by Picasso. With a ticket to the Centre Pompidou, you’ll witness various artistic gems from art history, including “Still Life with Ancient Head.”

New York

Picasso’s best paintings aren’t contained to museums in Europe alone. In fact, one of the artist’s most famous works is in New York. With this ticket to the MoMA, you’ll see “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon,” a pinnacle masterpiece by the Andalusian painter.

Despite many people being unaware, this painting has no connection to the French city of Avignon in Provence. So, what is it referring to? To discover the story behind this artwork, we must go back to Barcelona, specifically to Carrer d’Avinyó. There stood a brothel whose women Picasso portrayed in the painting.

Madrid

To finish this Picasso journey around the world, we’ll make a stop in Madrid. Here, art lovers must go on a guided tour of the Reina Sofia Museum. The great work of its permanent collection is, inevitably, the Guernica. Picasso painted this piece in Paris in the spring of 1937. The Government of the Second Spanish Republic commissioned it on the occasion of the International Exhibition of that year.

Picasso’s influence can be felt all over the world, from Malaga to Barcelona to Paris. What better way to honour the artist than by appreciating his masterpieces?