Tehran – The “Picasso in Tehran” exhibition featured works by Pablo Picasso, which opened at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tehran (Tmoca) on Tuesday evening.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture Nadere Frezai, ambassador to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Mexico, Uruguay, Costa Rica, China, Japan, Indonesia and several cultural officials.
From the Tmoca collection on display in the exhibition, there are 66 works by famous Spanish painters and sculptors.
At the start of the event, Naderev Rezai said: “Today, we gathered at the Museum of Contemporary Art to witness new stories of outstanding works from our collection. The museum is no longer just a repository for artwork. They serve as a centre for innovative storytelling, creativity and arts studies.”
“Your support and collaboration, we want to present a more innovative and inspiring story through our artwork. Today, we come together to celebrate Picasso’s work. Picasso is an artist who has had a major impact on the world of art and has influenced his style and art movement beyond his time. Anyone interested in Iranian art is definitely familiar with his work,” she added.
“Artists like Picasso, unique styles, revolutionary global art. Iranian contemporary art has a profound impact on our culture and artistic identity and retains a significant place. We hope that this exhibition will inspire a larger and more impactful exhibition in the future,” Lezai continued.
Following her remarks, Antonio Sanchez Bendito Gaspar to Spanish Ambassador Iran, said, “Born in Malaga, Picasso is one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 20th century. His works were always innovative and evolved for over 70 years. He was a pioneer in cubism, collage and decorative arts. He always seemed to have been ahead of his time.”
“Picasso was an artist with deep concerns constantly seeking new artistic methods. In his masterpiece, Guernica, he drastically portrays the horrors of war. Through “Guernica” and his other works, Picasso conveys a universal message of peace and coexistence,” he added.
“I am pleased to be part of this event not only as a Spanish ambassador, but as someone born in Malaga. I believe this exhibition will pave the way for future cultural collaborations between Iran and Spain. I sincerely appreciate the Deputy Minister and her team for their efforts to host this exhibition. I hope that we will achieve an international recognition that is important for both Iran and Spain,” the ambassador said.
The exhibition features 66 works by Picasso, covering various periods of his career. Of these, 26 Aquatint prints (not previously exhibited in Iran) from the famous series “La Tauromaquia” (the art of bullfighting) are highlights.
A rare and exquisite portfolio created by Picasso, La Tauromachia is made up of 26 aqua tint prints produced in 1957. This collection is one of the most famous works in the realm of prints that demonstrate his deep charm, showing the charm of Spanish culture, especially the dramatic and ritual nutritionists.
The series was inspired by Jose Delgado’s 18th century book, “La Tauromaquia o arte de torear” (Tauromatia, or the art of bullfighting). Jose Delgado, known as Peperillo, is a famous Matador, and his book became an important reference in the Spanish bullfighting tradition. A passionate about bullfighting since childhood, Picasso visually reinterpreted these historical accounts through his unique style of art.
Picasso adopted Aquatint Technique. This was a printmaking process that allowed for rich tone variations, giving the image a dramatic and almost pictorial effect. The work is minimalist yet expressive, and features bold black and white contrasts that often emphasize bullfighting movements, tensions and raw energy.
Through Swift’s gesture lines and fluid composition, Picasso captures the essence of bullfighting: the bounty of matadors, the power of bulls, and the tension of conflict. His depiction is not merely a literal illustration, but an abstract, emotionally recharged representation of the view.
“La Tauromaquia” reflects the charm of Picasso’s lifelong life that frequently appears in his work, from early sketches to his masterpiece “Guernica” (1937). The series is also seen as a symbol of respect and strength, danger and art for the enduring myth of Spanish cultural heritage and strength.
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist and theatre designer, and spent most of his adult life in France. One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, he is known for co-founding the Cubist movement, invention of built sculptures, co-invasion of collages, and the various styles that he helped develop and explore.
Along with Picasso’s works, the exhibition includes selected works by Iranian artists such as Balam Davili, Berman Mohas, Jalil Ziapole, Mosen Vajiri Mogadam, Garnik del Hakopian, Hannibal Alhas and Parvane Ethemadi. Léger, František Kupka, Joan Miró.
Founded in 1977, TMOCA has over 4,000 items including world-class Iranian, European and American paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is the largest collection of Western art in the Eastern world, and therefore includes works from almost all artistic times and movements.
The museum was designed by Iranian architect Kamran Diba, who adopted elements from traditional Persian architecture. The building itself can be seen as an example of contemporary art, in the style of the underground Guggenheim Museum. Most of the museum area is located underground, with gallery branching outwards and circular passages swirling downwards. Western sculptures by artists such as Ernst, Giacometti, Magritte and Moore are found in the museum’s gardens.
The exhibition will be open every day (except Mondays) at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, until April 20th.
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