British Museum Acquires 19 Rare Picasso Prints

Pablo Picasso’s ‘The Rehearsal,’ 1954 (Succession Picasso/DACS 2016)

Spanish master Pablo Picasso’s paintings and ceramics are spread all over Europe at a variety of fantastic art museums—but the British Museum lays claim to the artist’s greatest print work.

The 19 works, which were acquired earlier in the fall, were created between 1947 and 1957, and include renderings of his famous mistress and muse Francoise Gilot. These join the two giant collections of Picasso prints that the museum already owns: 100 neoclassical works known as the Vollard Suite from the ’30s; and the voluminous 347 Series.

Pablo Picasso’s ‘Hen,’ 1952 (Succession Picasso/DACS 2016)

Stephen Coppell, curator of the modern collection in the museum’s department of prints and drawings, told The Guardian:

“This is the last important gap to be filled in the British Museum’s representation of Picasso’s print work….It is very important that we were able to acquire this work. It is one of the greatest achievements in graphic art.”

Take a look at some more of the haul below, which will be on display at the British Museum in January 2017 (stick to their website for news and updates). Until then, you can go see Picasso’s portraits on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London through February 5, 2017. Learn more about the show here.