Ah, Picasso

We have pretty much figured out the metro system in Barcelona. The app we found isn't nearly as helpful as the one for Paris was, but if you can figure out the nearest metro station to where you want to go, and you look at the sign in the metro station where you are, you can plan a route and get where you are going! I want to figure out the bus system so we can do some of our traveling above ground and see more of the sights of Barcelona. That is my next project. Ellie wants to go to the beach!

Anyway, we managed to get to the metro station near the Picasso museum, and used our Google Maps app to find the museum, which is on a narrow lane. The building that houses the museum was built in the 1400's as was most of the structures along this street. One thing about European cities, is that they seem to build things to last...or at least what is still here was built to last. I wonder what in my city will still be standing and useful after 600 years?

We had to stand in line for about 15 minutes and then wait in a waiting room until the start time on our tickets. This museum has about 6000 works, but only displays about 300. Picasso's major works are in other museums, but this one has many of his early pieces. Picasso grew up...was a teenager...in Barcelona, and told many people that he was from here. Barcelona claims him as their own.

I was only able to take a few pictures as they have a policy in the museum of "NO PHOTOS" that I was not aware of until it was pointed out to me by a security staff member. There were lots of security staff around, and they mostly had guns and nightsticks and handcuffs, so I didn't argue. I didn't get any of his later works. He began his studies under the tutelage of his father, who was an art instructor. His early works shown here are from his teenage years, and show his skill and craft, and his instruction..which was focused on staying in the lines and painting realisticly.

You can click on an image to enlarge it and play a manual slide show. These works include portraits of his father (#3), himself (#4), and his mother (#6), who were his available models when he was young.

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As Picasso aged, his work became much more childlike. I can't say I'm a fan of the work he became famous for, but it was intersting to see his talent as a young man, and there is a certain freedom of expression that his work represents, that I do admire.