(CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION UNTIL SPRING 2013)
Established in 1985, the Musée Picasso is housed in the beautiful restored Hotel Sale, built between 1656 - 1659 by Pierre Aubert who made his fortune collecting the 'gabelle' (salt tax) in 17th century Paris. Which explains how the house received its name 'Salty' (Hotel Sale).
Pablo Picasso said of himself that "I am the greatest collector of Picassos in the world," and the museum contains works from this collection. The art work was donated to the French state after the artist's death in lieu of his family paying inheritance tax.
The collection contains work from all periods of Picasso's career - from his early 'blue' period through to works he painted in the final years of his life - making it the best collection of Picasso's work in the world.
Picasso also collected important work by fellow artists, including Cézanne, Matisse, Rousseau and Seurat, as well as tribal work - especially African masks. These works are also on display in the museum.
Picasso's work is displayed in chronological order, allowing you to see how Picasso developed as an artist and his contribution to modern art, especially cubism.
The museums highlights include: Self-portrait (1901): Portrait of Marie-Thérèse (1937); Man with a Mandolin (1911); The Bathers (1918); Portrait of Dora Maar (1937) and 'The Kiss' (1969).
Address
Hôtel Salé
5, rue de Thorigny
75003 Paris
Tel: 01 42 71 25 21
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