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Everything you need to know to visit the Picasso Museum

Without a doubt, Pablo Picasso is one of the most renowned and important artists in history. If you’re an art enthusiast like us, visiting the Picasso Museum is a must. If you’re planning a visit to this remarkable museum, this guide will be incredibly useful for you. Let’s get started!

Discover the history of the Picasso Museum

The origins of the Picasso Museum date back to 1960, when Picasso’s friend and secretary, Jaime Sabartés, made a proposal to the Barcelona City Council. Sabartés’ simple but appealing proposal was to create a museum dedicated exclusively to the renowned artist from Málaga. On July 27 of that year, an agreement was signed with the City Council, officially establishing the museum.

In the early days, the Picasso Museum displayed Picasso’s private collection, provided by Jaime Sabartés himself. The City of Barcelona also owned some of Picasso’s works, such as Harlequin, which Picasso had donated. The museum officially opened on March 9, 1963, initially called the Sabartés Collection due to Picasso’s known political differences with the Franco regime. The museum’s opening was met with controversy; the mayor at the time even disobeyed instructions from the central government to make it happen.

The museum’s first collection included Sabartés’ collection, some lithographs and posters, and works from the National Art Museum of Catalonia, as well as drawings from the private collection of Luis Garriga Roig. Later that year, Salvador Dalí contributed a donation, along with a book featuring engravings by Picasso.

Over the years, the collection has grown progressively through donations. Picasso himself contributed a series of 58 paintings on Velázquez’s Las Meninas, as well as the Blue Portrait of Sabartés. Today, the museum is one of the main attractions in the Born district.

Permanent collections at the Picasso Museum

The museum’s collection has expanded over the years, with an increasing number of pieces on display. In 1970, Picasso made a second donation to the Picasso Museum of Barcelona, adding over 920 works across various styles and techniques.

The collection continued to grow even after Picasso’s death. In 1982, his widow donated over forty ceramic pieces, and in 1983, his heirs added another 117 engravings to the museum.

Most of the paintings exhibited were created between 1890 and 1917. Although each piece in the museum is unique, Science and Charity and Harlequin are especially popular works.

The museum has few pieces from Picasso’s post-Blue Period, but you can see his celebrated Las Meninas series. In addition to paintings, the Picasso Museum in Barcelona holds an extensive collection of engravings and lithographs, mainly from 1962 to 1982. Picasso also gifted the museum a copy of all his works created after Jaime Sabartés’ death in 1968, as well as some of his illustrations for various books. Don’t miss the ceramics exhibit; it’s the most comprehensive collection of this aspect of Picasso’s artistry.

Temporary exhibitions at the Picasso Museum of Barcelona

Like any major museum, the Picasso Museum hosts temporary exhibitions that are available for a limited time. These collections typically last around four months, though sometimes they may vary.

As expected, these exhibitions often revolve around Picasso, though other historic artists like Joan Miró are also occasionally featured.
There’s always something exciting in the museum’s temporary exhibitions. Here are some of the most popular past exhibitions to give you a sense of the museum’s offerings.

The Miró-Picasso collection

This exhibition was a collaboration between the Picasso Museum of Barcelona and the Joan Miró Foundation. Miró and Picasso were close friends for over 50 years, both choosing Barcelona as the home for their monographic art centers. The exhibition was organized around six main thematic and chronological sections, with over 250 works from public and private collections worldwide, showcasing every facet of these two great artists.

Picasso in photographs

The museum’s temporary exhibitions also explore Picasso’s life through archives and artifacts. This exhibition included works from photographers Lucien Clergue and David Douglas Duncan, as well as documents from Brigitte Baer’s archive. Visitors could also see family albums from Picasso’s friends, such as Jaume Sabartés and Gustau Gili, along with a selection of photographs showing the creation of the Picasso Museum, providing a deeper historical context for the museum itself.

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Activities at the Museum

The Picasso Museum offers a wide variety of activities for all types of visitors, from fun events for children to symposia for adults. There’s always something to do in Barcelona and at the museum for art lovers of all ages.

Given the wide range of activities available, we highly recommend checking what’s on at the time of your visit. This will help you get the most out of your experience. Simply visit the Picasso Museum’s activity calendar and choose what interests you the most. Be sure to plan ahead, as spaces are limited and many activities are free, often filling up quickly.

How to buy tickets for the Picasso Museum

Purchasing tickets for the Picasso Museum is easy. Just go to the museum’s ticket sales page and choose the type of visit you prefer. Whether you’re interested in a guided tour, a temporary exhibition, or a general visit, we recommend buying tickets online.

We hope this guide has been useful and that you’re now ready for your visit to the Picasso Museum. And if you’re planning a trip to Barcelona and need a great place to stay, we offer vacation rentals in Barcelona. Check them out!

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