Farewell to Christine Ruiz-Picasso. Daughter-in-law of the artist, she is responsible for the Picasso Museum Málaga

Christine Ruiz-Picasso, an instrumental figure in the creation of the Picasso Museum Málaga, has passed away at the age of 97 at her home in Provence. She was the widow of Paul Ruiz-Picasso, eldest son of Pablo Picasso and Russian ballerina Olga Khokhlova. The family, and in particular her son Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, chairman of the Executive Board of the Picasso Museum Málaga, expressed deep sorrow at the passing of a woman whose life was deeply connected to the art and memory of Picasso. The museum’s Board of Directors and staff also wished to remember her essential role in the creation and development of the institution.

Opened in October 2003 and now visited by some 800,000 people a year, the Picasso Málaga Museum was one of the most important projects of his life. Christine Ruiz-Picasso was its Honorary President, a position shared with the President of the Region of Andalusia. In the same year she received the Grand Cross of Alfonso X the Wise for her philanthropic contributions. In her honor, the museum’s auditorium bears the name Christine Ruiz-Picasso Auditorium, a testament to her close ties to the institution.

Born in France in 1928, Christine Ruiz-Picasso was close to the art world from a young age. Her connection with the Picasso family was strengthened by her marriage to Paul Ruiz-Picasso. From their union was born Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, who continued his mother’s commitment to the enhancement of Pablo Picasso’s artistic legacy. Her cultural sensitivity and unwavering commitment have made her a highly regarded figure in museum circles.

The project to create a museum dedicated to Picasso in his hometown of Málaga came to fruition precisely because of Christine Ruiz-Picasso’s determination and generosity. In fact, the museum’s collection of more than 230 works comes from her and her son Bernard’s donation. In 1997, the Government of Andalusia purchased the Buenavista Palace, which was destined to become the museum’s headquarters. Subsequently, Christine and Bernard donated 233 works to the Fundación Museo Picasso Málaga Legado Paul, Christine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, established to implement and manage the project. After decades of waiting, the museum finally opened to the public on October 27, 2003, fulfilling the wish expressed by Picasso himself.

Over the years, Christine Ruiz-Picasso received numerous awards: in 2003 she was named an Honorary Citizen of Andalusia, while in 2023, on the occasion of the museum’s 20th anniversary, the facility’s auditorium was officially dedicated to her.

Her passing marks the loss of a key figure in the preservation and dissemination of Picasso’s artistic legacy.

Farewell to Christine Ruiz-Picasso. Daughter-in-law of the artist, she is responsible for the Picasso Museum Málaga

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