TEHRAN -- The Museum of Contemporary Art in Tehran has launched a major exhibition titled Picasso in Tehran, showcasing 66 works from the Spanish master Pablo Picasso.
Spain’s Ambassador to Iran Antonio Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, senior cultural officials, and prominent artists attended the inauguration on Tuesday.
The exhibition includes pieces from various periods of Picasso’s career, featuring 12 aquatint prints from Tauromachia (The Art of Bullfighting), alongside other significant works such as Painter and His Model, An Open Window to Rue Penthièvre, Baboon and Young, and multiple versions of Weeping Woman. 
The works, part of the museum’s collection, are being displayed in Tehran for the first time.
The exhibition also features works by Iranian artists like Bahram Dabiri, Bahman Mohasses, and Hannibal Alkhas, as well as international figures such as Georges Braque, Robert Delaunay, and Joan Miró.
During the opening ceremony, Spain’s ambassador highlighted Picasso’s role in modern art, describing him as a pioneering figure in Cubism and a passionate advocate for peace, as reflected in his famous anti-war painting Guernica.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Nadereh Rezaei emphasized the museum’s commitment to reinterpreting its collection through fresh narratives, stating that Picasso in Tehran offers a new perspective on the artist’s impact on global and Iranian art.
In her meeting with the Spanish ambassador, Rezaei emphasized the importance of cultural ties between Iran and Spain and proposed further collaboration in other artistic fields.
She also highlighted the recent performance of flamenco guitarist Daniel Casares at the 40th Fajr International Music Festival, which received a warm reception from Iranian audiences.
Rezaei noted that such events underscore the cultural connections between the two nations and could pave the way for more joint artistic productions.
The Spanish ambassador welcomed the initiative, describing Iran as a country of great cultural significance for Spain.
He expressed his commitment to fostering deeper artistic cooperation but emphasized the need for careful planning to achieve meaningful and sustainable cultural exchanges.
Having been in Iran for nine months, Gaspar remarked on the warmth and cultural passion of the Iranian people, expressing hope that ongoing discussions and strategic planning would lead to further collaborative artistic projects.
The exhibition runs through April 20, 2025.