An unprecedented three-month exhibition...
said.The 240 works on display, as well as additional materials, attempt to tell the story of Picasso"s life, including his strong ties to Russia and Russian cultural figures, such as Sergey Diaghilev, Igor Stravinsky and Leonid Myasin.
While he was working on designs for Diaghilev"s Ballets Russes he met the ballet dancer Olga Khokhlova, who later became his wife and gave him a son, Paulo. Picasso and Khokhlova separated but remained legally married until Khokhlova"s death in 1955.
Picasso"s Russian connection is featured in a special section of paintings, sketches, photos and designs for Diaghilev"s ballets.
However, missing from the masterpieces showcased this time is Picasso"s famous Dove of Peace, designed for the international peace congress in Paris in 1949, when the artist was a communist.
The Dove of Peace became one of the most recognized symbols of peace worldwide, and was particularly popular with people in the Soviet bloc.