Picasso Museum Antibes

Yesterday I took the National Rust party to the Picasso museum in Antibes.

It is housed in the Grimaldi castle which Picasso was given as a studio for 6 months after the war and in appreciation gave some 26 of his works.

Jacqueline Picasso gave some more in 1990 and now the museum has 246 pieces – the famous Goat and Joie de Vivre, ceramics, sketches, carpets and sculptures. It has many attractions.

It reflects Picasso’s close association with the area as he had properties nearby in Vallauris, Cannes and Mougins. The museum has excellent light and views over the bay which add to the rich colours of the works.

Many of these were created between 1947-49 a happy time for Picasso as he had met his muse Francoise Gilot, the war was over and his reputation high.

In 1947 he began his association with the Modoura pottery owned by the Ramies. Many of these wonderfully coloured co-produced ceramics were on view.

There was also an exhibition of photographs of Picasso by Edward Quinn which were revealing of the artist , his homes and family.

Were it a blockbuster exhibition there would be visitors swarming around every picture but there were perhaps 50 at most in the museum.

We only spent an hour there but it was worthwhile.

Afterwards we had lunch on a private beach in Cap D’Antibes and viewed a lovely small chapel Notre Dame de la Galoupe which had commanding and spectacular views to Nice to the east and Cannes to the west. Down below us on Golfe Juan Napoleon landed after his escape from Elba and began his government of 100 days terminating at Waterloo.

Our final port of call was the home near Vallauris of some close friends of Bob’s parents. Again their home had some spectacular views. I really believe after a day this the coastline proves it has amenities, cultural life, scenic beauty second to none.