History

The idea was first mooted in 1953 by Pablo Picasso and Juan Temboury Álvarez, then Málaga’s Provincial Delegate of Fine Arts. The painter wanted his work to have a place in Málaga, the city of his birth, but the plan soon fell apart. Christine Ruiz-Picasso, widow of the artist’s eldest son, Paul Ruiz-Picasso, came into contact with Málaga’s municipal authorities in connection with the exhibitions Picasso clásico and Picasso, primera mirada, held at the Episcopal Palace of Málaga in 1992 and 1994, respectively. The people of Málaga were so enthusiastic about this first chance to see Picasso’s work in Andalusia that, in 1996, Christine decided to resume her father-in-law’s 1953 plan.

In 1997, the Regional Government of Andalusia purchased Buenavista Palace to house the museum, and Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso (the artist’s grandson) donated 233 works to Fundación Museo Picasso Málaga Legado Paul, Christine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, a foundation set up specifically to establish and manage the museum.

Thus, fifty years year, the Museo Picasso Málaga finally became a reality and was inaugurated by Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía on 27 October 2003.

The donation made by Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso comprises the core of the permanent collection of works by Pablo Picasso, which are periodically complemented by selected pieces from the Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso (FABA) and other occasional loans.