Pablo Picasso The Code of Painting

'Picasso – The Code of Painting' presents work from Pablo Picasso’s late period – a time when he radically reimagined what painting could be, constantly challenging its limits. Often overlooked after his death, this phase of his artistic life was marked by incredible creative energy, freedom and an astonishing pace of production. These works reflect both the major conflicts of the 20th century and the dramatic changes taking place in the world of painting at the time.

The exhibition explores key themes from Picasso’s late period, showing how he deliberately broke away from traditional ideas about painting. More than 50 paintings and a series of 13 hand-painted ceramic plates come together to offer a striking insight into this chapter of his work. The exhibition looks at the tension between simplifying figures down to their essence, and the raw energy of his brushwork – and highlights how his late work remains a powerful source of inspiration for many contemporary artists.

The exhibition is also a unique collaboration between public and private art institutions across Scandinavia. Together, they’re making it possible to bring one of the 20th century’s greatest artists to this part of the world in 2025 and 2026. After its debut at PoMo in Trondheim, the exhibition will be touring throughout Scandinavia and will be on show at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm (22 November 2025 – 5 April 2026) and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg (7 May 2026 – 6 September 2026).

'Picasso – The Code of Painting' is curated by scholars Dieter Buchhart and Anna Karina Hofbauer, in close collaboration with Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso. The scenography is designed by Cécile Degos.

PoMo wishes to warmly thank the following institutions for the loans that have made the exhibition possible: Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, The ALBERTINA Museum (Vienna), Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (Humlebaek), Kunst Museum Winterthur (Wintherthur), Moderna Museet (Stockholm), Musée National Picasso (Paris), MoMA – The Museum of Modern Art (New York), as well as all private lenders.

The exhibition is organised in cooperation between PoMo, Trondheim; Moderna Museet, Stockholm; Kunsten Museum of Modern Art, Aalborg and Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz Picasso.