One of the most anticipated museum visits of Paris this October was Musée Picasso Paris. I can't tell you how many times I attempted to visit this Museum over the past 6 years only to find that it was STILL closed due to a seemingly never-ending renovation project (it went vastly over budget and schedule). Paris unveiled the fruits of its extensive 5 year renovation last October (2014) and was celebrating the Museum's one year anniversary during my visit. The Museum has been criticized for its curatorial approach - discontinuity, void of art labels and the loose assemblage of themes. I, however, loved the Museum and would place it on my "must do" list for Paris.
Musée Picasso Paris is housed in a two-story 17th-century home, the Hôtel Salé, in the Marais. With its garden, courtyard and architectural eye-candy, the house itself is worth a visit. Plus, I loved the juxtaposition between the stately mansion and some of Picasso's more abstract cubism works. Overall, the collection is a triumph in presenting the complex art life cycle of Picasso and the breadth of his artistic skills (and sometimes terrible artwork) - from classic paintings, to sculptures, pen drawings and his more famous cubism works. For an amateur art lover like me, the curated collection is a great lesson in the evolution of a single artist over a period of time. And, unlike the overwhelming volume of the Louvre, Musée Picasso Paris can be visited within an hour, making it the perfect cultural pit stop in a day otherwise filled with shopping in the wonderful Marais.
Courtyard entrance to the Museum.
The grand staircase. It's difficult to imagine that this was somebody's home centuries ago.
The modern white sculptural chandelier pops against the period details of the mansion, and a Picasso piece in the background.
A museum lover viewing some of the 400 plus works on display.
One of my favorites - Picasso's Portrait D'Olga. I love the unfinished state of this piece.
A view into the garden from the wavy glass of the Mansion's antique windows.
Images by Brooklyn Boheme.