“It took me four years to paint like Raphael,” Pablo Picasso once said, “but a lifetime to paint like a child.” In Málaga’s storied Old Town, make sure to stop by Picasso’s Birthplace, the place where he first painted, over a century ago. The great artist’s childhood home has been transformed into a museum in his honour. It is called simply the Casa Natal Picasso (Picasso’s Birthplace).
Picasso is an international household name of modern art, and he remains so now more than 40 years after his death. He spent most of his working life in France, but he always remembered his hometown Málaga with great fondness. Picasso grew up on the first floor of this house, on the Plaza de la Merced. Look over his childhood drawings, which revealed his gift was present at a very young age. Inspect photographs of the Picasso family, along with a self-portrait courtesy of young Pablo. Explore his first studio, and observe the traditional sketches that came long before the more iconic works of this great artistic radical.
Picasso went on to become a modern master, and his influence was particularly strong through his work in cubism, primitivism and the medium of collage. Explore the museum’s exhibits, which are home to thousands of pieces by Picasso and by artists inspired by him, as well as work from 20th-century greats such as Joan Miró and Max Ernst. A range of work by local Málaga artists is also on display.
Pay a visit to the library and research centre on the third floor of the Casa Natal Picasso. Here you will find a variety of academic resources that might help you learn about Picasso’s role in the development of modern art. Workshops and events are also held on the third floor.
Picasso’s Birthplace lies at the heart of the Old Town district of Málaga, which is easily accessible by bus or taxi. A small fee is charged for admission, with an audio tour included, but entry is free on Sundays. The museum is open daily but closed on public holidays.
