World-premiering in Melbourne, 'The Picasso Century' will feature more than 70 works by the Spanish artist, as well as 100-plus others from over 50 of his peers.
In huge news for Melbourne, works spanning the career of Pablo Picasso will be on show for Victorians when the new, world-premiere exhibition The Picasso Century opens at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in June.
Featuring more than 70 of Picasso’s works and over 100 pieces by other ground-breaking artists of his time including Georges Braque, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse and Dorothea Tanning – many never before seen in Australia – the NGV International will be transformed by the works of the revolutionary Spanish artist as part of its Winter Masterpieces series, which has brought major international art exhibitions exclusively to Melbourne since 2004.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Running from June 10 to October 9, The Picasso Century takes visitors through periods of Picasso’s art and career exploring Cubism, Surrealism and the Blue Period, while connecting the Spaniard’s iconic creations to the creative community and world around him.
Presented by the NGV in partnership with Centre Pompidou, Paris and Musée national Picasso-Paris, The Picasso Century is curated exclusively for the NGV by Didier Ottinger, Deputy Director of Centre Pompidou’s Musée national d’art moderne and has been several years in the making. The exhibition has been made possible by the Centre Pompidou and the Musée Picasso-Paris, who have unite to deliver this world-premiere exhibition.
“The Picasso Century provides yet another reason for Victorians to explore and reconnect with our cultural capital, and supports the revitalisation of our CBD providing more jobs and economic benefits by acting as a massive drawcard to our state this winter,” says Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson.
“The Picasso Century brings together master works from across Picasso’s career, alongside those from other leading artists and innovators of the time. Part of our blockbuster season of art, this exhibition is not to be missed.”
Spread over 15 themed areas, The Picasso Century will chart his career in its entirety, via his paintings, sculptures, drawings and ceramics, and also see how it developed through his engagement with his peers. Through more than 170 works of art, audiences will come to appreciate the many ways in which Picasso influenced – and was influenced by – the artistic community that surrounded him.
This is not to be missed.
Previous Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibitions at the NGV include chart-toppers such as Van Gogh and the Seasons (2017) and Salvador Dalí: Liquid Desire (2009). This year, there is a dual offering with The Picasso Century at NGV and Light: Works from Tate’s Collection at ACMI.
The Picasso Century will be on display from 10 June 2022 at NGV International, St Kilda Road. For tickets and further information, visit ngv.vic.gov.au.
