Ceramic souvenirs from the "Casa Natal" or birthplace of Picasso.
By Dee McMath
The "Casa Natal" or birthplace
of the world famous artist Pablo Ruiz Picasso has been an official
heritage site since 1983. It is situated in Plaza de la
Merced, in the heart of the historic centre of Malaga.
The area is surrounded by monuments from Malaga's rich past such
as the Roman Theatre, Gibralfaro Castle
with its breathtaking views over the city, as well as the Alcazaba,
an Arabian fort which is now home to the Archaeological Museum.
It is also just a couple of minutes walk from Malaga Cathedral and
literally round the corner from the well known Cervantes
Theatre and not far from the newer Picasso Museum.
Built in 1861 Picasso's father, José Ruiz
Blasco, rented the first floor of the house from 1880 to 1883. Later
they lived nearby, still in the Plaza de Merced and it was not until
1891 when Jose Ruiz is offered a job as an art teacher in La Coruña
that the family moved to Galicia, where they stayed until 1895.
In 1998 the historic building was taken over by
the Picasso Foundation and officially re-opened by the King and
Queen of Spain. Since then it has become an important research centre,
as well as a monument to the life and work of Picasso and the headquarters
for the Picasso Foundation. On the ground floor is the temporary
exhibition hall where you can see interesting artifacts from the
beginning of Picasso's home and cultural life. The first floor has
many works on show by the artist and his father, Jose Ruiz Blasco,
as well as personal mementos of the Picasso family. The third floor
is dedicated to the library and Research Centre, with an expansive
archive of material on the artist and his work.
As well as Picasso's prints and ceramics, you can
see his graphic art from the period 1931 - 1971 and illustrated
books. Altogether with some 3,500 examples of contemporary art exhibited
by over 200 artists, including a large selection of graphic art
by: Miró, Christo, Bacon, Brossa, Ernst, Tápies, Chillida,
Plensa, Dokoupil, Guinovart, Matta, Moore, etc. Many contemporary
Malaga artists from the 1950's to the present day are represented,
such as; Barbadillo, Brinkmann, Peinado, Stefan, Joaquín
de Molina, Robert Harvey, Diego Santos, Carlos Durán, Bola
Barrionuevo, Chema Lumbreras, Joaquín Ivars y Rogelio López
Cuenca. All this, makes a visit to this historic house and art gallery,
truly worth visiting.
The aim of the Foundation is to acquire more art
works each year, with a view to eventually having the complete collection
of Picasso's graphic art under one roof to show the different periods
and techniques in sequence. There are also regular events such as
national and international exhibitions and conferences held here
- all relating to Picasso in some way. The well stocked and maintained
library and research centre are also within the building.
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The Picasso foundation,
Plaza de la Merced, Málaga |
Opening Times
- Monday to Sunday, from 9.30 to 20.00
- Closed on bank holidays
Entrance Fee
Museum & temporary exhibition.
Admission fee: 1 EUR
Free Admission
- Senior citizens
- Youths aged up to 17 (accompanied by an adult)
- Students up to 26 years old with student ID
Address
Casa Natal de Picasso (Fundación Picasso)
Plaza de la Merced
Málaga
Tel: + 34 952 215 005
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