Picasso Birthplace Museum

The Picasso Birthplace Museum (Casa Natal Picasso) in Malaga, Spain, is dedicated gives an insight into the artist’s family life as well as celebrating his work.

On 25 October 1881 Pablo Picasso was born on the first floor of the building which now houses the Picasso Birthplace Museum. A series of works of the founder of Cubism and that of his artist father can be viewed here as well as personal items belonging to his parents and a recreation of the 19th century hall as it would have been when the family lived there.

Picasso Birthplace Museum history

Pablo Picasso was born in 1881 and spent the first 10 years of his life in Malaga. In 1891, the family moved to Galicia and later Barcelona. Despite the distance, Picasso was always closely related to his hometown visiting Málaga city on several occasions and recalling it in his work where his Malaga roots are perceived.

The building was constructed in 1861 and  Picasso’s father, José Ruiz Blasco rented the first floor of the house from 1880 to 1883. No. 15 Plaza de la Merced in Malaga was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument of National Interest as Picasso’s birthplace on March 25, 1983.

The Pablo Ruiz Picasso Birthplace Museum was created as a Municipal Autonomous Organization in 1988 in order to study and promote the work and the figure of the artist.

The first major addition was in 1989 with the folder of engravings “Dream and Lie of Franco”; this was followed by illustrated books donated by the painter’s family.

Currently, there are over 50 books illustrated by Picasso and other artists such as Miró, Chagall and Max Ernst.

Also noteworthy are the notebooks of preparatory drawings for the work “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” which marked the beginning of his “African Period” or “Protocubism”, which gave rise to the artistic movement of cubism, and of which Picasso is the greatest exponent. The 84 drawings are complemented by a repertoire of graphic work covering the period from 1905-1971.

Picasso Birthplace Museum today

The successive rooms of the Museum offer a thematic tour that highlights Pablo Picasso’s family, social and cultural ties with Malaga, the city where he was born on October 25, 1881.

On the ground floor is the temporary exhibition hall where you can see interesting artefacts 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 mementoes 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. All together with some 3,500 examples of contemporary art exhibited by over 200 artists.

The museum hosts regular events, exhibitions and conferences held here, all relating to Picasso in some way. The building also houses a library and research centre.

Getting to the Picasso Birthplace Museum

The museum is located at Plaza de la Merced Malaga. To get there by public transport visitors can take bus numbers 36, 1, 37 or Circular 2.