EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.- This summer National Museums Scotland presents Picasso: Fired with Passion, a newly-created major exhibition which gives a fascinating insight into the extraordinary life and work of one of the most renowned artists of the twentieth century.

The exhibition, only showing at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, will offer visitors a new and intimate perspective on Picasso the man, the artist and the icon.

Drawing from the collections of international organisations and private owners, Picasso: Fired with Passion is one of two in-depth exhibitions that will bring Picasso to Edinburgh, showcasing the different aspects of this world-famous artist. The National Galleries of Scotland’s Picasso on Paper will feature prints, drawings and illustrated books dating from the early 1900s to the 1950s.

The Museums’ exhibition reveals the artist’s work from 1947 to 1961, a significant period of his life when he was working at Vallauris and Cannes in southern France. Over 100 objects, including outstanding examples of ceramics, metalwork, painting and lithography, will be on display, and it is the first significant showing of his ceramics in the UK for over a decade.

Picasso: Fired with Passion offers an intimate glimpse into Picasso’s family life, and his friendships with contemporaries, such as the French artists Jean Cocteau and Georges Braque as well as acclaimed photographer Lee Miller and surrealist painter, poet, and historian Roland Penrose. There are personal objects and photographs, revealing the connections between his private life and his artistic career, which capture the joie-de-vivre of post-war Europe and an important time in the artist’s family life.

Rose Watban, Curator of Applied Art and Design at National Museums Scotland, said: “We are excited to be creating and presenting this major Picasso exhibition in the capital during the Edinburgh Festival. Our exhibition is a fresh celebration of the man behind the art, and the diversity of his work across different media including ceramics and metalwork. Visitors will be surprised to discover this aspect of his creativity, illustrated by over 100 objects drawn from world-class collections.”

Born in Málaga in Spain in 1881, Pablo Picasso spent much of his life in France. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most important artists of the 20th century, and became commercially successful and internationally recognised in his own lifetime. By 1946 his reputation as a painter was established, having produced influential works throughout the early 1900s and, along with Georges Braque, led the creation of the Cubist movement. Picasso then set out to explore new and diverse media, devoting himself to mastering ceramics and experimenting with other applied arts.

The exhibition draws on world-class collections including the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, Musée Picasso in Antibes, Tate in London and Museo Picasso Málaga. Objects on loan include bullfighting posters and tiles, a jug moulded and decorated into the female form, a plate decorated with Picasso’s famous dove of peace, a silver platter, and Lee Miller photographs of the artist.

Legal, financial and property specialists Pagan Osborne are sponsoring the exhibition. Alistair Morris, Chief Executive, Pagan Osborne, said:

“We are delighted to play a part in staging this exhibition. For us, the appeal of Picasso transcends generations and he has a charisma that touches many different people. Therefore, we want our sponsorship to be a catalyst for our staff, their families and our clients to come and enjoy his paintings and to learn about the man himself.”

Picasso: Fired with Passion is accompanied by a publication by the same name from NMS Enterprises Ltd. The book will be on sale in the National Museum of Scotland shop at £14.99.