Picasso Birthplace Museum, Malaga

It was inevitable that Malaga should produce Picasso. The first ten years of his life there nourished his talent. He was born at number 15 Plaza de la Merced (Merced Square), a building now known as the Casa Natal. Elements of Malaga's rich history surround the house. Everyday life in Malaga provided recurrent themes of his art.

The building was erected in 1861. Picasso's father, Jose Ruiz Blasco rented the first floor of the house from 1880 to 1883. In 1983 it was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument of National Interest. In 1998 the building was taken over by the Picasso Foundation and officially reopened by the King and Queen of Spain.

On the ground floor is an exhibition hall showing items from Picasso's early family life and works by both Picasso and his father. The first floor holds works on exhibit by the artist. The third floor contains the library and Research Center and an extensive archive of material regarding the artist and his oeuvre.

Along with Picasso's prints, ceramics and graphic art pieces there are 3,500 works by 200 other artists. It is a vast selection representing Miro, Christo, Bacon, Brossa, Ernst and others including Malaga artists from the 1950s to the present.

Tip:
Admission is free every Sunday from 4pm.