Picasso Lautrec, Exhibition, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid: 17 October 2017–21 January 2018

This exhibition creates a fascinating artistic dialogue between two leading figures of the late 19^th and early 20^th avant-garde: the French painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) and the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). Although the two never met in person, Lautrec’s dramatization of urban life and the extreme modernity within his works had a lasting impact on the young Picasso. The exhibition brings together more than a hundred works and displays exactly how Picasso took inspiration from the Frenchman and even borrowed several of his formulas and adapted them to his own style.

Across the five themes sections – Bohemians, Underworld, Wanderers, Elles and Hidden Eros – the exhibition contains works which captivated both artists: the Parisian culture scene, its nightlife, its cabarets, its nocturnal cafés and its rather melancholic brothels. Picasso himself was particularly interested in the sleaziness of Parisian nightlife and the exposition clearly maps Picasso’s transition away from his paintings of garish colours and towards his so-called blue period (1901-1904). 

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

Paseo del Prado, 8, 28014 Madrid

Opening Hours

Monday – Saturday: 10am – 8pm

Sunday: 10am – 7pm