Statue of Pablo Picasso

Statue of Pablo Picasso sits in the heart of Malaga, on Plaza de la Merced, just steps from the house where Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born. The bronze figure shows the artist seated on a marble bench, notebook and pencil in hand, as if he had just paused his sketching to watch the square go by. The work was created by Malaga-born sculptor Francisco López Hernández and was unveiled on 5 December 2008.

Where exactly is the Picasso statue in Malaga?

Plaza de la Merced is one of the most recognizable squares in Malaga's old town, lined with cafés, tapas bars and shaded by tall trees. The statue itself stands in a small park-like corner of the square, tucked among ordinary benches, so it's easy to walk past without noticing it if you don't know where to look. This is the same square where Picasso was born in 1881, at number 15 — the building now houses a museum dedicated to his childhood and early years.

Why is Picasso shown sitting on a bench?

Rather than a towering monument on a pedestal, López Hernández chose a far more intimate composition. Picasso sits at eye level, on the same kind of bench visitors themselves might use, inviting people to sit beside him for a photo. This makes the statue feel like part of everyday life on the square rather than a distant museum piece. The notebook and pencil in his hands are a reminder that Picasso was drawing and sketching from a very young age — a talent he first developed in Malaga, before moving on to Barcelona and later Paris.

What else is nearby?

Plaza de la Merced sits right next to several sites tied to Picasso's life. The Picasso Birthplace House (Casa Natal) faces the same square, and the Museo Picasso Málaga, home to more than two hundred works by the artist and his family, is only a short walk away. The square is also a convenient starting point for exploring the rest of the old town, within easy reach of the cathedral, the Alcazaba fortress and the Roman theatre.

When is the best time to visit the statue?

Plaza de la Merced is lively throughout the day, but it's calmest early in the morning, before the crowds arrive, and most atmospheric in the evening, when locals fill the surrounding cafés and bars. During the day, especially in summer, expect a short queue of visitors waiting to take a photo next to Picasso.

Frequently asked questions

Who made the Picasso statue in Malaga? The sculpture was created by Francisco López Hernández, a Malaga-born artist who depicted Picasso in a naturalistic, seated pose.

When was the statue unveiled? It was unveiled on 5 December 2008.

Where exactly is the statue located? On Plaza de la Merced in central Malaga, in a small park-like section of the square, close to the house where Picasso was born.

Is there an entrance fee to see the statue? No — the statue stands in an open public square and can be visited free of charge at any time.