Museo Picasso Málaga today revealed Reflections Picasso, a new series of special exhibitions placing Picasso’s work in dialogue with leading contemporary artists in some of Andalusia’s greatest cultural locations.
The first exhibition, pairing the American artist Jeff Koons with Picasso, will open at the Museum of Fine Arts within the Palace of Charles V, located in the Alhambra in Granada. A UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the 13th century, the Alhambra is a spectacular palace and fortress complex overlooking the city, and one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture. The exhibition Reflections. Picasso/Koons at the Alhambrawill run from 17th December 2024 to 16th March 2025.
Reflections. Picasso/Koons at the Alhambra is presented by the Museo Picasso Málaga in collaboration with the Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso (FABA), the Regional Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía and with the support of the Unicaja Foundation.
Miguel López-Remiro, Artistic Director of Museo Picasso Málaga, said:
The museum of the 21st century presents itself as an amplified space where art transcends boundaries and engages in dialogue with multiple contexts—a museum envisioned as a public square, a meeting point, and a place of future exploration. The ‘Reflections Picasso’ project is embedded in this vision, seeking to intermittently expand the presence of the Picasso Museum Málaga in collaboration with iconic Andalusian spaces, creating new opportunities to deepen the understanding of Picasso’s work. Within this framework, Reflections. Picasso / Koons, which inaugurates this project, establishes a perspective on the relationship between the work of Pablo Picasso and Jeff Koons in the context of the Palace of Charles V, the Museum of Fine Arts’ collection in Granada, and the unique setting of the Alhambra. It invites profound reflection on the intersection between tradition, avant-garde, and contemporary art.
Reflections. Picasso/Koons at the Alhambra will feature five works—two by Pablo Picasso and three by Jeff Koons—integrated into the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, creating a dynamic conversation between past and present. Three Graces by Koons will be displayed in the circular courtyard of the Palace of Charles V, whilst Picasso’s The Three Graces (1923) will be displayed inside the Museum. Head of a Warrior (1933) by Picasso and two works by Koons from his Gazing Ball series will also be displayed in Room 1 of the Museum, which is dedicated to the oldest and most revered works of art.
The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the main cultural landmarks in Granada. Its extensive collection offers a journey through the history of Granada’s art, from the Renaissance to the 20th century, with a notable representation of the Baroque school. Among its artistic treasures are works by Alonso Cano, one of the greatest exponents of religious art, whose influence left a profound mark on local sculpture and painting. The museum also houses pieces by other great masters such as Pedro de Mena and Mariano Fortuny, highlighting the artistic diversity of the region. The museum provides a comprehensive view of the evolution of sacred art, with a strong presence of religious-themed works that reflect the deep connection between the city and its spiritual traditions. It also features examples of portraits, landscapes, and everyday scenes that depict the life and culture of Granada throughout the centuries.
Within the Alhambra, the works by Picasso and Koons will illuminate the continuity and transformation of artistic inspiration, offering visitors a unique perspective on the dialogue between tradition and modernity.
On 17th December, the opening of Reflections. Picasso/Koons at the Alhambra will be marked by a public conversation between Jeff Koons and art historian Joachim Pissarro, great-grandson of the artist Camille Pissarro, on the influence of Picasso.
Reflections. Picasso/Koons at the Alhambra is a project conceived and developed by the Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso in collaboration with the Jeff Koons Studio. The exhibition is curated by Miguel López-Remiro, Artistic Director of Museo Picasso Málaga, alongside Ricardo Tenorio, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts in Granada. This exhibition is made possible with the support of the Regional Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Board of Trustees of the Alhambra and Generalife, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Granada. All these institutions wish to express their gratitude for the sponsorship of the Unicaja Foundation in this project.
Reflections Picasso is an initiative by Museo Picasso Málaga, the Regional Ministry of Culture and Sport, and FABA to showcase Picasso’s work in iconic locations across Andalusia.
