50 years since Picasso: The Spanish cities to visit for exhibitions celebrating his life

20.07.2023 - 11:44 / wanderlust.co.uk / Pablo Picasso

From Bilbao to Barcelona, Málaga to Madrid, Pablo Picasso may have lived his adult life in France, but his early years in Spain are considered some of his most pivotal. The 8 April 2023 marks 50 years since the Málaga-born artist's death, so cities across the country are celebrating his life with a series of exhibitions: each one observing how Picasso was influenced by the places he lived, studied and worked. 

Back to where it all began. Málaga is where Pablo Picasso was born in 1881, and a bronze sculpture of the artist can be seen permanently parked on a bench in the city centre. Beyond this installation, Málaga welcomes three temporary exhibitions in 2023.

Picasso: Matter and Body (9 May to 10 September 2023) is on display at the Museo Picasso Málaga, and is dedicated to Picasso’s fascination with the human body and how it shaped his work, particularly his sculptures – moulded from various materials including bronze, iron, cement, steel, wood and plaster. After four months, this exhibit moves north to Bilbao for a stint in the iconic Guggenheim Museum (29 September 2023 to 14 January 2024).

Later in the year at Museo Picasso Málaga, The Echo of Picasso (3 October 2023 to 31 March 2024), examines the effect the artist has on the world and –  most importantly – today’s art scene. The collection gathers 30 artists’ work all influenced by Picasso.

Elsewhere, The Stages of Picasso (21 June to 1 October 2023) at the Museo Casa Natal Picasso follows a chronological journey through Picasso’s work, with sections divided into important stages of Picasso’s life. It ranges from his childhood to the years spent with his muse and second wife Jacqueline Roque. When finished browsing the paintings, sculptures, and photographs, you can see another 800 permanent works at the museum, including a rare sketchbook with 80 of his drawings.

Head to Spain’s northwest coast to spend time in A Coruña, the Galican city where Picasso spent years of his childhood. It’s also where he experienced monumental moments in his life, from his first ever exhibition to the death of his sister.

A Coruña Museum of Fine Arts is putting on an exhibition titled Picasso: White in the Blue Memory (23 April 23 – 23 June 23). The collection will explore his early work created while in A Coruña, and how it transcended into his future masterpieces.

Picasso went to Barcelona in his early teenage years, attending the School of Fine Arts from the age of 13. The city’s architecture is said to have inspired many of his works.

There are two temporary exhibitions to see at the Museu Picasso Barcelona. Throughout the spring and summer, browse But is it possible that they could have done this before me? Picasso and Spanish ceramics in the Museu del Disseny