
Pablo Picasso (1881–1973). Portrait of Dora Maar, Paris, November 23, 1937. Oil on canvas, 21 3/4×18 1/4 in. Musée national Picasso-Paris, Pablo Picasso Acceptance in Lieu, 1979. MP166. © 2020 Estate of Pablo Picasso/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. (photo courtesy of RMN-Grand Palais [Musée national Picasso-Paris], Mathieu Rabeau)
Highlights of the exhibition include masterpieces from Picasso’s various styles and periods, as well as more intimate works that provide fresh insights into his innovative practice.
“Viewers will see how, as Picasso continuously deconstructed and then remade the body, he was also recasting the history of figuration as a combination of his own psychological view of humanity and observations about the disruptive nature of life in the 20th century,” said Frist Art Museum chief curator Mark Scala.
“We are delighted to work with the Musée national Picasso-Paris, the home of the world’s largest and most comprehensive public collection of works by the iconic artist, to bring Picasso. Figures to Nashville,” said Frist Art Museum director/CEO Susan H. Edwards. “Through the extraordinary generosity and support of our community for almost 20 years now, we have been able to deliver on our mission to present world-class exhibitions in Nashville. For many years, we have been looking for a Picasso show of this caliber, and we are thrilled that during our 20th anniversary we will be able to share this astonishing collection with our city and everyone who will travel to see it.”

Pablo Picasso (1881–1973). The Supplicant, December 18, 1937. Gouache on wood, 9 1/2×7 1/4 in. Musée national Picasso-Paris, Pablo Picasso Acceptance in Lieu, 1979. MP168. © 2020 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. (photo courtesy of RMN-Grand Palais [Musée national Picasso-Paris], Mathieu Rabeau)
“The selection of the Frist in Nashville as the only U.S. venue for this show is a wonderful testament to our city’s growing national and international stature as a cultural destination,” said Edwards. “We are grateful to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp for their support of Picasso. Figures.”
“The Frist Art Museum is a critical part of the city’s cultural landscape,” said Butch Spyridon, president/CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “Given the issues we have all faced since March of this year, we look forward to welcoming this world-class exhibition to our own Frist Art Museum in 2021. Our city remains a prime destination for travelers from around the country and across the world, and with Nashville as the sole U.S. venue, we certainly anticipate that many people will see this exhibition as an excellent reason to visit our city.”