Museo Picasso Málaga Debuts Picasso and Jeff Koons Exhibition at the Alhambra
The Museo Picasso Málaga, in partnership with the Almine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso Foundation (FABA) and local cultural authorities, has launched a major joint exhibition in Granada. Running from December 17, 2024, to March 16, 2025, Reflections. Picasso / Koons at the Alhambra places the works of two global modern masters in direct conversation with Spain's historical heritage.
This unique showcase marks the beginning of "Reflections Picasso," an initiative by the Malaga-based museum to share Pablo Picasso's artistic legacy across key historic sites throughout Andalusia.
Explored Masterpieces: What to Expect inside the Palace of Charles V
The exhibition is set within the monumental Palace of Charles V and the Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada located inside it. Five selected artworks—two by Pablo Picasso and three by Jeff Koons—are integrated directly into the historic spaces, standing alongside the permanent collection of late Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque Spanish art.
Visitors stepping into the famous circular courtyard of the Palace of Charles V will encounter Jeff Koons' monumental sculpture Three Graces (2016–22), crafted from highly polished stainless steel with a transparent color coating. This modern, reflective work offers a striking contrast to the classical stone architecture surrounding it.
Inside the Fine Arts Museum galleries, the dialogue continues with Picasso's iconic painting The Three Graces (1923) and his expressive bronze sculpture Head of a Warrior (1933). These pieces are exhibited alongside two selections from Koons' Gazing Ball series, which incorporate hand-blown blue glass spheres that reflect the viewers and the surrounding historical gallery.
Reimagining Classical Mythology through Two Artistic Giants
The exhibition highlights how both artists returned to antiquity to find inspiration, interpreting classical beauty and mythical themes through distinct materials and styles.
Picasso’s 1923 painting of the Three Graces embraces a monochromatic, statue-like gravity, capturing an introspective and classical ideal. In contrast, Koons' contemporary steel sculpture takes inspiration from delicate porcelain figurines but scales them up in a gleaming, unbreakable metal, resulting in a vibrant, festive interpretation of the same classical trio.
The connection to the ancient world is also clear in their approach to form and observation. Picasso's Head with Helmet demonstrates his habit of transforming everyday objects, using items like a tennis ball to mold sculptural features.
Meanwhile, Koons explores classical art history by paying homage to Jacques-Louis David's famous canvas, The Intervention of the Sabine Women. By placing a brilliant blue glass sphere in front of the imagery, Koons physically incorporates the contemporary museum-goer into the classical narrative.
Expanding Artistic Horizons in Andalusia
Curated by Miguel López-Remiro (Artistic Director of the Museo Picasso Málaga) and Ricardo Tenorio (Director of the Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada), the project explores how the boundaries of a modern museum can expand beyond its physical walls. Placing these 20th- and 21st-century masterpieces in a space dedicated to historic Spanish art invites visitors to reflect on how classical ideas evolve across eras.
To accompany the exhibition, a 64-page hardback bilingual catalogue has been published, featuring texts by Jeff Koons and the curators, edited by art historian Joachim Pissarro.
To discover more about special exhibitions organized by the museum or to plan your next cultural journey, explore the Malaga cultural map or browse current events with What's On Malaga. You can keep up with the latest art events in the region on Musemap (musemap.art), your guide to local heritage and contemporary discoveries.
