Two exhibitions dedicated to Pablo Picasso will open this spring on New York's Upper East Side, both organized in collaboration with the artist's descendants and featuring works never before displayed publicly. 'Picasso: Tête-à-tête' at Gagosian (through July 3) is presented with Paloma Picasso, the artist's daughter, and includes 12 never-before-seen works from her personal collection. Two blocks north, 'Pablo Picasso: Still Life' at Almine Rech (through July 18) is organized by dealer Almine Rech and her husband Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, a grandson of the artist, with over 60% of works never exhibited before. The Gagosian show will be the gallery's last at its 980 Madison Avenue space before moving out for Bloomberg Philanthropies.
These exhibitions matter because they offer rare access to unseen works from Picasso's personal holdings, curated by his own family members who control his estate and foundation. The shows highlight different aspects of his practice—thematic continuity across his career versus the overlooked genre of still life—while also marking a significant real estate shift for Gagosian on Madison Avenue. The involvement of Paloma Picasso, who fought a legal battle for inheritance rights, and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso underscores how the artist's legacy continues to be shaped by his descendants.