“The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?”
These are the words of a genius, an icon, a 20th century most recognisable artist. Pablo Picasso.
This quote sounds like a key to his art, doesn’t it?
I have recently visited the “Museu Picasso” that is located in his beloved Barcelona, in Spain. Although he was born in Malaga, in the southern part of Spain, and later on spent most of his life in Paris, France, he was strongly connected to Barcelona.
Today I would like to take you with me to that museum because I believe it is worth a recommendation!
The museum can be visited every day except on Mondays. It offers a free entry every Thursday in the evening, from 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm and on First Sunday of each month, from 9 am to 7 pm.
I have my dear friend Ania visiting me in Barcelona:) This is an excellent occasion to show her around, as this is her first time here. So we enjoy ourselves, chatting like crazy, and obviously, we explore the city. Last Thursday we went to “Museu Picasso”, we profited from the “free entry” that this museum offers not once every month but every week! Isn’t it a great idea? If we want our society to be educated, thinking, and open-minded, the governments (or local governments) should facilitate the access to art and culture to everyone.
We started our visit at 8 pm in the evening, so it was already dark outside. Which was great because I really enjoy the city after dark. And trust me, Barcelona is a great city to visit after dark.
Free entrance
The museum limits the number of people who can enter the exposition at the same time. And trust me, there are always plenty of people interested in this. Therefore it is highly advisable to book your entrance online in advance using this internet site. As February is not the high season in Spain, it was possible to make a reservation on the same day, but I imagine that from may this time will extend.
You book the entrance for 1 up to 5 people, for a specific day at the specific time, so make sure to be there on time! ;)
The building
The Museum’ building itself is an amazing experience. It is situated in Barrio Gotico.
The Picasso Museum occupies five large town houses or palaces on the street carrer de Montcada. The original palaces date from the 13th-15th centuries, undergoing major refurbishments over time, the most important in the 18th century. The palaces are a good example of Catalan civic gothic style. They have a common structure surrounding a courtyard with access to the main floor via an outdoor open stairway.
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Those buildings are a true feast not only for architecture enthusiasts. They are simply outstanding from both outside and inside.
The museum
The museum is an initiative of Jaume Sabartés, Picasso’s lifelong friend and personal secretary. We wanted to establish it in Malaga, where Maestro was born. But Picasso himself suggested to do it in Barcelona. The Museum opened its doors to the public in 1963.
The permanent collection hosts Picasso’s 4,251 works – paintings, illustrations, and ceramics.
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” This is yet another quote that seems important if one wants to understand Picasso’s work.
The collection is organized into areas that include the early years (Málaga, Corunna and Barcelona, 1890–97), the training period (Barcelona, Horta de San Juan and Madrid, 1897–1901), the Blue Period (1901–04), works in Barcelona from 1917, and the entire Las Meninas (1957) series. Most of the paintings on display at the museum are from the period between 1890 and 1917, an important collection in regard to that portion of Picasso's life. The museum has very few paintings after 1917, with the exception of the Las Meninas, painted in 1957. (…) The collection also includes illustrations made by the artist for various books, as well as ceramics (…).
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This being said, it is true that the Museum offers an outstanding amount of Picasso’s early works.
Nonetheless, personally and subjectively, I found the last part of the exposition the most intriguing and interesting. “Las Meninas” Series, by the way - the only complete series that remains together - occupy the last rooms of the Museum. The series of 58 paintings, is a tribute to a famous Spanish painter from XVII century - Diego Velázquez. Each painting is well exposed, has sufficient space and good lighting.
“Las Meninas” by Diego Velázquez (source)
“Las Meninas” by Pablo Picasso
To sum up, dear Friends, if you are amateurs of Picasso’s art this museum is a place that you simply cannot miss while visiting Barcelona!
Sending joy!
Kasia
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