Our first stop in Barcelona (after dropping our bags) was the Picasso Museum.
This is an absolute must if you're visiting Barcelona! Room after room is filled with his paintings, preparatory sketches, pottery, notes, quotes, photographs.
We had no idea the place would be this palatial, but it's not daunting the way large museums can be.
The Picasso Museum is housed in an old mansion in the Gothic Quarter and with so many treasures around each corner you're intrigued to keep going down the rabbit hole rather than feeling fatigued.
Pablo Picasso, like many of his fellow Cubists, was trained classically as a young artist — his talent demonstrated at an early age.
Anatomy Studies, circa 1889
Portrait of Artist's Father, 1896
Self-Portrait, 1896
First Communion, 1896
As the world began to change at the turn of the twentieth century, Picasso started branching out and experimenting with different techniques.
Sketches and letters to friends, 1900
Grand Vase, circa 1880
Still Life, 1901
To say that he was prolific is an understatement. I'm surprised there can be other Picasso museums given the sheer number of items in the Barcelona museum's collection.
Photos of Guernica
See for yourself!
Illustrated poems
The Pigeons, 1957
Photos of Dora Maar, 1930s
Portrait of Dora Maar, 1939
Massacre in Korea, 1951
Lady with Mantilla, 1917
More illustrated poems and theater inspirations
Columbus Avenue, 1917
Woman in armchair, 1917
Studies for Head of a Woman, 1930s
Las Meninas, 1957
Study for Infanta Margarita Maria, 1957
Las Meninas Studies
Promise me you'll go and enjoy the Picasso Museum when you visit Barcelona.
(Tip: Most museums and attractions in Barcelona have timed entry — I strongly suggest booking everything in advance of your trip and planning things out so you aren't constantly on the go. One activity for the morning and one for the afternoon is perfect for still enjoying the city and not being rushed at each stop.)
Picasso was such a strange man but I really am drawn to many of his later works. So Barcelona had Picasso, Gaudi and up in Cadaques Dali. Wonder if there is some wild inspiration in the food or water in that area. Amazing!!