Abu Dhabi’s Louvre Abu Dhabi has opened a major exhibition dedicated to Pablo Picasso, offering visitors a comprehensive look at the artist’s exploration of the human figure over seven decades. Running until the end of May 2026, the exhibition brings together over 130 works from museums and private collections across Europe and the Middle East.
The exhibition, titled Picasso, the Figure, traces the Spanish artist’s evolving approach to representing the human body, from early experiments to politically charged works and intimate portraits. Highlights include the 1927 painting Woman in an Armchair, which demonstrates how Picasso began to distort reality to convey psychological and emotional depth.
Organizers say the show combines seven works from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s own collection with loans from the Musée national Picasso-Paris, as well as pieces from the UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, and France. “By presenting these works together, visitors can explore Picasso’s influence both within and beyond Europe,” the museum noted.
The exhibition also includes contributions from six contemporary Arab artists, reflecting how Picasso’s approach to modernism resonated in the Arab world. Educational programming accompanies the display, including children’s pathways designed to engage younger audiences through interactive questions and activities.
Cultural analysts say exhibitions like this reinforce Abu Dhabi’s growing profile as a global hub for art and tourism. Saadiyat Island, already home to the Louvre, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Zayed National Museum, has become a central destination for international exhibitions. “Providing access to works of this scale allows local and regional audiences to engage directly with art that has historically been confined to European institutions,” said one museum official.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi’s hosting of a Picasso monograph marks one of the institution’s largest single-artist shows to date. Visitors can expect a chronological journey through the artist’s work, highlighting both public and private dimensions of his life and creative output.
The exhibition runs daily through May 31, 2026, with ticketed entry. It is part of the museum’s ongoing effort to combine global art narratives with regional engagement, positioning Abu Dhabi as a key player in international cultural programming.
