The Warsaw National Museum is preparing to host a significant exhibition featuring the works of the renowned artist Pablo Picasso. The grand opening of this exhibition is scheduled for
Wednesday and will be graced by the presence of Poland's Culture Minister, Piotr Gliński.
This remarkable exhibition, which becomes accessible to the general public on Thursday, offers art enthusiasts a remarkable opportunity to view over 120 engravings, book illustrations, and ceramics created by Picasso over several decades.
In its description of the exhibition, Warsaw's National Museum notes, "Dazzling with their diversity of style, color, and emotion, the selected works narrate the story of Picasso’s artistic journey."
The majority of the exhibited pieces are on loan from the Museo Casa Natal Picasso (Picasso’s Birthplace Museum) in Malaga, Spain, and will be displayed in Poland for the very first time. The exhibition serves as both a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s passing and a celebration of Spain's presidency of the European Union in the second half of this year.
The exhibition is divided into four sections, with the first section emphasizing Picasso's contemplations on beauty. The second section delves into the artist's fascination with mythological creatures like fauns and centaurs. The third section offers a wide selection of ceramic objects. Lastly, the last section pays tribute to the Polish aspect of the artist's work, featuring pieces from the National Museum's own Picasso collection.
Notably, Picasso had visited Poland in 1948 to participate in the World Congress of Intellectuals in Defense of Peace, held in the southwestern city of Wrocław. This event was characterized by robust rhetoric opposing "American imperialism." Picasso's tour also included stops in Kraków and the capital, Warsaw. During his time in Warsaw, Picasso generously donated a collection of ceramic dishes and graphic prints to the National Museum, and these items are prominently featured in the current exhibition.
The exhibition's curation is a joint effort by Mario Virgilio Montañez Arroyo from the Museo Casa Natal Picasso and Anna Manicka from the National Museum in Warsaw. Financial support for the exhibition has been provided by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, with assistance from the Spanish embassy in Warsaw.
Art lovers and Picasso enthusiasts can enjoy this exhibition until January 14, 2024. Photo by Mister No, Wikimedia commons.