Porto is the best place to see Picasso's Art

The Palácio das Artes, in Porto, will display the "Vollard Suite" collection by Picasso, on 30 May. The Suite was acquired by the Spanish Foundation MAPFRE in 2008, and was never before exhibited in Portugal. The exhibit will be on show until 11 September.

The Vollard Suite comprises 100 etchings in the neoclassical style by the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, produced from 1930-1937.

The display opens on 30 May at Palácio das Artes, and it is sponsored by the Misericórdia do Porto and Taylor's Winery. The exhibit is curated by Charlotte Crapts.

The etching collection, regarded as one of the most important of the 20th century, was commissioned to Picasso by the art dealer and publisher Ambroise Vollard in exchange for paintings by Renoir and Cézanne; as such, it was named after the art dealer who commissioned them, Ambroise Vollard.

Picasso started to work on the suite in 1933 and completed it in 1937, but the death of Vollard in 1939 and the Second World War led to the sets of etchings only coming onto the art market in the 1950s.

This is a rare and unique opportunity to admire the full collection by Picasso, which is normally displayed by some of the most renowned museums in the world, namely the National Gallery in Washington, the British Museum in London, the MOMA in New York, and the Pablo Picasso National Museum in Paris.

"It is an enormous privilege to bring this exhibit of such a universal artist, promoting arts in Porto and valuing the city as a touristic destination. We believe that the link between people and our city, namely its cultural and heritage exponents, among which is Port Wine, is key and strengthens connections through this virtuous association with one of its ex-libris", affirmed Adrien Bridge, General Director of Taylor's.

In turn, António Tavares, the Purveyor of Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Porto states that "after the Museum inauguration - MMIPO, four years ago, the Misericórdia do Porto is proud to be a part of this exhibit by Picasso. Our institution is well aware of Picasso's importance as one of the most significant painters of the past 50 years, and when we are celebrating our 520th anniversary, we aim at innovating. This will be a moment to celebrate, both for residents and visitors".

Entrance to the exhibit costs 10 euros, and children up to 12 are admitted for free. Youngsters between 12 and 17 years old, as well as students are entitled to a 50% discount on the price of admission.

At the end of the visit, adult visitors are invited to a Port tasting by Taylor's.

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