Picasso Museum Málaga
The city's most visited museum since its opening in 2003
The Picasso Museum is located in the Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista, the most significant example of noble architecture built following Málaga's conquest by the Catholic Monarchs. An earlier building existed on the site prior to the conquest, used as an alhóndiga (a locale for the sale, purchase, and storage of cereals and other foodstuffs).
Its architecture is primarily Renaissance, with a Plateresque façade and Mudejar influences. The building is structured around a large central patio of almost square proportions, while a robust watchtower is attached to the facade. The edifice has two floors with a roof made of curved tiles forming gable panels. The main facade is built in carefully cut stone, with well-squared sandstone used for the corners, carved parts, and doorway. The rest is constructed from highly friable limestone.
The Palace of the Counts of Buenavista is one of Málaga's grand yet lesser-known monuments. Despite this, fate has given it a significant role in the cultural life of all of Andalusia as the home of the sparkling Picasso Museum of Málaga. Currently, it houses the collection that the Malagan painter's daughter-in-law, Christine, has donated to the city.
Origin and evolution of the building that houses the Picasso Museum of Málaga.
Built around 1530-1540 by Diego de Cazalla, one of the nobles who participated in the city's conquest in 1487, it is notable for its entirely stone facade, the building's austerity with only Renaissance adornments on doors and windows, and the rectangular watchtower. After passing into the hands of the Count of Mollina, it was owned by the Count of Buenavista. Later it went to the Countess of Luna, who symbolically leased it to the state to be transformed into a museum.
From 1961 to 1997, as the Museum of Fine Arts, it housed works by Malagan painters such as Bernardo Ferrándiz, Antonio Muñoz Degrain or José Nogales, as well as works by Sorolla and Murillo, sculptures by Benlliure and Fernando Ortiz, among others. There are etchings and lithographs by Picasso, who became the museum's main attraction for the 21st century. The works of these important artists are displayed in the new Málaga Museum located in the Palacio de la Aduana.
Since March 2017, the permanent collection has been refreshed to foster a closer understanding of the brilliant artist's work. With a marked chronological character, the new presentation reveals the prolificity of his work over time and the versatility of his artistic endeavour. Additionally, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions featuring a variety of artists and other works by the immortal Malagan artist.
Get to know Picasso's childhood and his famous art, present in the rooms of the Picasso Museum Málaga, on the Málaga Free Tours you must not miss. Book for free now!
