Picasso Comes to the de Young Museum

The hot museum ticket this summer is for the de Young's exhibition Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée Picasso, Paris, which opens today and runs through October 9. Spanning the entirety of this 20th-century master's career, the exhibition presents 150 of "Picasso's Picassos"—paintings, sculptures, and works on paper kept by Picasso as part of his own personal collection. The works are part of the collection of the Musée Picasso in Paris, which was established to house the nearly 3,600 works given to the French government after Picasso's death in 1973.

Picasso is a fascinating look into the career of this important artist. Rooms in the exhibition cover every phase in his lengthy career, from his early Blue period in the 1900s to his experimentations with Cubism and Surrealism to late works from the 1960s and '70s. It's a fascinating look at the development of the artist's work over time.

You're sure to recognize some of the works on display here: Two Women Running on the Beach (1925), Portrait of Dora Maar (1937), and the found-object sculpture made from bicycle parts Bull's Head (1942). Both adults and children will find the exhibition appealing, and it's a great way to introduce art-savvy children to different artistic styles and some of the most famous artworks of all time. Be prepared to be inspired to go home and create some art of your own! The museum's Picasso store has a nice selection of art kits, books, puzzles and games for kids, too.

If you go

Tickets to Picasso are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors 65+, $21 for students with current ID, $15 for youth 6–17, and free for children 5 and under and members. Consider buying a family membership ($125) that will get you and your family into the de Young, its sister museum the Legion of Honor, and all their special exhibitions for the entire year. Discounted admission is available on Wednesday nights from 5–8:45 pm as part of the de Young's "España at Twilight" program, with convenient parking and Spanish-inspired prix fixe menu in the cafe.

The de Young Museum is located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive (at John F. Kennedy Drive). The museum is open Tuesday–Friday from 9:30–5:15 pm, with extended hours on Friday and Wednesday evenings (June 15–August 31; special exhibition only) until 8:45 pm. For more information on the Picasso exhibition and the de Young, visit www.deyoungmuseum.org or call (415) 750-3600.