The Pablo Picasso Museum in Malaga is a wonderful tribute to this great and innovative artist of the twentieth century. It had been a long time desire of the artist himself, as well as his family, that he should have a presence in his birthplace city of Málaga. The Picasso Museum is one of only three in the world dedicated exclusively to the artist. He was one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century being as he was both an innovator of artistic styles and techniques and thus changed the course of modern art.

The Picasso Museum is located in the historic city center and is housed in the wonderful 16th. century Palacio de Buenavista. The majority of the permanent collection is exhibited in the Palacio de Buenavista.This large, noble house is typical of Andalusian architecture of that period with its blend of Renaissance and Mudejar influence. Christine Ruiz Picasso, the principal donor of the funds, had expressed her wish that the building should be of typical Andalusian architecture and this indeed is a fitting monument to house the great man's works. In its twelve halls, the Picasso Museum displays almost 200 works of art which constitute the permanent collection. The art gallery also include 4 other halls for temporary exhibits. Completing the museum facilities are an assembly hall, a library, an educational department and an investigation and a promotion center.

The main collection is principally made up of works donated, or on loan, from Christine Ruiz-Picasso, daughter-in-law of the artist, and her son Bernard, grandson of Picasso.The museum opened with 204 permanent works of which 133 are due to Christine's collaboration. An additional 49 works are on free permanent loan for a period of 10 years. Another 40 pieces are on loan from Bernard for the period of one year. Of incalculable value, this collection consists of works and paintings that Picasso gave to his family members and the majority of the exhibits in the collection have not been seen in public before. Among the numerous works to be seen for the first time are Olga Kokhlova con Mantilla (1917), Madre y niño (1921-1922) and Retrato de Paulo con Gorro Blanco (1923).

Exhibitions.

24th. Oct. 2005 Picasso, ceramics and traditions. This exhibition brings together some of Picasso's astounding ceramics and those from the past Milena in the Mediterranean which so influenced him. There are 56 original works by the artist and 36 from different historical periods ranging from antiquity to the 19th. century.

13th.March.-11th. June 2006. The Picassos of Antibes. In 1946 Picasso was offered one of the great rooms at the Castle of Antibes to use as a studio. He was so pleased with the offer that he exclaimed, "I'm not only going to paint, I'll decorate the museum too!" The resulting series of paintings reflected the jubilation of liberation. Picasso later added sculptures,graphics and ceramics to this collection thus forming the base for the first French museum dedicated to him. This exhibition will comprise a selection of these most outstanding works, none of which have been seen in Spain before.

Address of the Picasso Museum Palacio de Buenavista c/ San Agustín, 8 29015 Málaga, España For more information on all of the above visit the Website of Picasso Museum www. museopicassomalaga.org

Tel: (34) 952 127600 Fax: (34) 952 127607

Opening hours: Tuesdays -Thursdays: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Fridays - Saturdays: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Sundays and Holidays: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

December 24th and 31th: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Closed Mondays, December 25th, and January 1st.

Entrance fees: Collection: 6,00 euros Exhibits: 4,50 euros Combined entrance: 8,00 euros. Ticket Desk will remain open until half an hour prior to closing time.