On the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s passing, the city of Madrid is preparing to welcome a series of events and exhibitions in honour of the iconic Spanish artist who played a pivotal role in the evolution of 20th-century modern art.

Regarded as one of the most influential artists of his time and a pioneer of Cubism, Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 – Mougins, France, 1973) dedicated his life to producing more than 20,000 works of art in a variety of disciplines and styles.

In 1897, a 16-year-old Picasso arrived in Madrid to study at the prestigious Academia de San Fernando, a cradle for artists in the late 19th century. However, Picasso’s true inspiration came from strolling the streets of Lavapiés or perusing the art on the walls of the Prado Museum. What the young artist did not know at the time was the clear influence that the academy’s traditional teachings would have on his later series and works.

In the coming months, the following exhibitions will take place to celebrate Picasso’s remarkable legacy and offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the artist’s life and works in greater depth.

Picasso en foto 

29 April – 28 July 2013 | Fernán Gómez Centro cultural de la Villa 

More than 3,000 photographs of Picasso’s life and creative processes will travel to Madrid from the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. This extensive collection of intimate photographs gives us an insight into the life of one of the greatest artists of his time.

Picasso: Sin Título (Untitled) 

19 May 2023 – 7 January 2024 | La Casa Encendida 

50 artworks from the artist’s final period through the work of 50 national and international artists. The exhibition invites us to question our perception of each piece while providing us with different perspectives.

Picasso – El Greco 

13 June – 17 September 2023 | Museo del Prado

A special exhibition that will combine the works of Picasso with one of his greatest influences, the Renaissance artist El Greco.