Park de la Ciudadella in Barcelona

On the Carrer Moncada, in the heart of the city, the Picasso Museum takes up the bulk of blocks once reserved for the aristocrats consisting of five Gothic style palaces. You can only imagine how large the grounds are. Picasso (1881-1973) would have been proud. Although not a native Barcelonan, Picasso moved with his family from Malaga in 1895. The aspiring young artist had his first public showing in 1897 at the Quatre Gats. Much of his early work from that time period is on display at the museum, which opened in 1963. Picasso would have been able to see the first ten years of his work displayed before his death. How it must have felt for him to see the work from his formative years (ages 15 and 16) displayed for the public. An interesting note; many of the paintings are unsigned, lending to the rumor that he didn't learn to write his name until the early 1900's. Picasso's early work was simple; mostly beach scenes and landscapes, and self proclaimed experts on his work insist that his most important pieces are not represented, but rather part of private collections. This is probably true, as most artists sold their work in order to eat. The collection does, however, contain the Las Meninas; a chronological collection of 58 works. Regardless, the museum itself is a wonderful piece of architecture. The high ceilings and darker gothic style are the perfect home to the Picasso museum.