If the masterpieces currently on show at the Picasso Museum aren’t enough for you, the Musée d’Orsay (not far from our hotels) has a big, new, sumptuous, exceptional exhibition called Picasso: blue and rose which may well be the biggest cultural event for the end of the year.

Crafted in close collaboration with the Picasso Museum, the exhibition concentrates on the period from 1900-1906, when Picasso was just 18-25 years old. No museum has ever dedicated an entire exhibition to this important period in the artist’s life.

It’s upon Picasso’s arrival (at Orsay station, which is now the museum!) that his style started to transform as he discovered the work of Ingres, Manet and the Impressionists. He also became a great admirer of Van Gogh, and this profoundly changed his approach to the use of colour. Soon, even his self-portraits were blue, and the following years saw him evolve towards ranges of grey and pinks.

The exhibition takes you thought the painter’s different periods, and contains a few surprises, such as his erotic drawings made in Paris and Barcelona between 1901 and 1903.

You’ll also learn more about Picasso visit to Holland in 1905, his move from pink to ochre and how the influence of Mediterranean Antiquity drew him to a new style…

Around the exhibition there are a few very interesting events, including:

– a ‘Curieuse Nocturne’ evening event on 27th September with concerts, workshops and talks, all free for anyone under 26,

– Picasso Circus, a joyous weekend for all the family with circus workshops, and performances by acrobats and dancers in the nave, and

– the exhibition will be open non-stop for 24 hours starting 9.30am on 13th October!

Of course there are a lot of other workshops, guided visits and conferences on offer (details here), and a catalogue is also available (384 pages, 45€ here at amazon.fr).

The exhibition Picasso: blue and rose is at the Musée d’Orsay (here) from 18th September 2018 – 6th January 2019

Open every day except Mondays from 9.30am-6pm (9.45pm Thursdays)

Admission: 14€ / 11€

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Summer 1901, Paris discovers Picasso at the Ambroise Vollard Gallery : "A very young painter hailing from Spain has just attracted the attention of somewhat jaded Parisian audiences at the very first attempt. This is because P.R. Picasso is offering something novel and gifts of very rare originality: a wonderful understanding of colour which reveals itself in unique tones, of a dazzling boldness, which after surprising us somewhat then exert an appeal, hold our attention, win us over, caress us, and delight the eye". -Anonymous, “An artist”, La Justice, 30 June 1901- More than 100 years later, the "first Picasso" is back in Paris with the exhibition #PicassoBleuRose" from 18 September . Eté 1901, Paris découvre Picasso à la galerie Ambroise Vollard : "Un très jeune peintre qui nous arrive d’Espagne vient de s’imposer, du premier coup, à l’attention du public parisien, si blasé pourtant. C’est que P.R. Picasso apporte du nouveau et des dons d’une très rare originalité: une science merveilleuse de la couleur, aboutissant à des tonalités inédites, d’une hardiesse chatoyante, qui après nous avoir surpris un peu, attirent, retiennent, conquièrent, caressant, charment l’œil". -Anonyme, "Un artiste", La Justice, 30 juin 1901- Plus de 100 ans après, le "premier Picasso" est de retour à Paris avec l'exposition #PicassoBleuRose " à partir du 18 septembre . #museedorsay #museeorsay #orsaymuseum #artmuseum #artgallery #fineart #beauxarts #artexhibition #exhibition #exposition #behindthesecene #picasso #bleuetrose #blueandrose . Pablo Picasso, "Yo Picasso" (May or June 1901), Private Collection © Succession Picasso 2018 . Photo : © Musée Orsay / @ejouvenaux

A post shared by Musée d'Orsay (@museeorsay) on Sep 14, 2018 at 10:51am PDT