During Judyshannonstreetwhat's visit
(click here if you don't know what I'm talking about), she and I went to the Picasso Museum in Málaga (the city of Pablo Picasso's birth). It was my first time at the museum and I loved it. Judy(etc.) had not been a big fan of Picasso, but she, too, loved the museum and left with a better appreciation of his talent and genius.
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIcrXTBUT6M/U9YvDmdL6tI/AAAAAAAAR8E/BjvdugGLRUA/s1600/2044museo.jpg) |
THE 16TH-CENTURY PALACIO BUENAVISTA IS NOW HOME TO THE MUSEO PICASSO. |
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBXILEck4Ko/U9Yu1pbOvJI/AAAAAAAAR6A/4dBHLVNBd0M/s1600/2004meseodoor.jpg) |
A FRONT DOOR.
(BENEATH THE PALACIO ARE PHOENICIAN, ROMAN, AND MOORISH RUINS.) |
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6mrmanGp7lw/U9aQ5a8YmJI/AAAAAAAAR-c/xjMmbI3hIOg/s1600/arqueolog%C2%A1a+1+MPM_464x375_scaled_cropp.jpg) |
ANCIENT PHOENICIAN WALL BELOW THE MUSEUM (8TH CENTURY B.C.)
PHOTO COURTESY MUSEO PICASSO MÁLAGA. |
Judy(etc.) had a special fondness for a painting, "Naturaleza muerta con cráneo y tres erizos"
("Still life with skull and three sea urchins"), probably more for the idea and title than for any other reason. Picasso did quite a number of still lifes with skulls with or without sea urchins
(and still lifes with sea urchins with or without skulls).
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_gJOSRj0n4/U9YznuK3zFI/AAAAAAAAR-M/s0CmUzJ6iAE/s1600/naturaleza_muerta_MPM1.jpg) |
"STILL LIFE WITH SKULL AND THREE SEA URCHINS," 1947.
FROM THE COLLECTION OF MUSEO PICASSO MÁLAGA. |
When we got off the train in Málaga, we stopped in a cafe for a quick drink (really to use the "services"). I had a special fondness for the still life set up in the café. I call it "Naturaleza muerta con Jesús y un jugador de fútbol desnudo,"
("Still life with Jesus and one naked football player"). I asked the bartender who the fútbol player was (or players... the guy in the middle didn't look the same). She had no idea.
Maybe you can help?
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugT-AIYohd4/U9Yu0ZA2hxI/AAAAAAAAR5s/ajyrvj65qEY/s1600/1994huh.jpg) |
"STILL LIFE WITH JESÚS AND ONE NAKED FOOTBALL PLAYER," DATE UNKNOWN"
FROM THE COLLECTION OF BAR RESTAURANTE ARCOS MÁLAGA. |
Photography is not permitted inside the exhibit areas of the Picasso Museum, so, you'll have to check out the museum for yourselves to see more
(http://museopicassomalaga.org, if you can't get to Málaga). I think they did a brilliant job of converting (and preserving) the former private palace (and some surrounding buildings) into a stunning exhibit space. It's believed that the 16th-century palace was built over the remains of a Nasrid Palace (the Nasrid Dynasty ruled Málaga and other cities of Southern Spain from 1232–1492). An original tower still stands and was incorporated into the 16th-century palace.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vsqy2_tkLDg/U9YvJJPYRAI/AAAAAAAAR8Y/PZH4O6hC6G8/s1600/2042down.jpg) |
THE PALACE/MUSEUM'S CENTRAL COURTYARD. |
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ar4Ps4BGP4/U9Yu-NOpOgI/AAAAAAAAR7Y/NbM0KA9rE-I/s1600/2038stairs.jpg) |
HEADING UPSTAIRS TO MORE EXHIBIT SPACE. |
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMpe8pbrz0w/U9Yu3BD-LvI/AAAAAAAAR6I/ckkup7ZFYGo/s1600/2009ceiling.jpg) |
BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED CARVED CEILINGS. |
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPwVwQB4_g4/U9Yu8aab_rI/AAAAAAAAR7I/G6nDTZNd-YA/s1600/2029upper.jpg) |
THE ENTIRE COURTYARD IS SHADED BY A ROMAN-STYLE AWNING. |
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbSMr6jVEJo/U9Yu9qJt3oI/AAAAAAAAR7U/3QEFW_-Ic78/s1600/2035stairs.jpg) |
HEADING BACK DOWN.
GARDEN AND CAFE CAN BE GLIMPSED THROUGH THE WINDOWS. |
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AmRJbQgk8NM/U9Yu2e4B2jI/AAAAAAAAR6E/eEqmzr9-90Q/s1600/2007museodoors.jpg) |
HEADING BACK OUTSIDE. |
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k13JNjoXfjI/U9YvDtmXZtI/AAAAAAAAR78/dRYLqkEhuR0/s1600/2045museo.jpg) |
THE NASRID DYNASTY TOWER. |
Judyshannonstreetwhat's Aha Moment
After the museum, Judy(etc.) and I stopped at a shop with gifts that were much nicer than the standard souvenir shop fare. Judy bought three sets of fun and unusual salt and pepper shakers.
The salesperson was a charming young guy named Leo (sorry, no photo). Judy had been practicing her Spanish throughout her visit and was doing amazingly well.
Leo asked Judy, "¿De dónde es usted?"
[Where are you from?]
I could see the wheels spinning in Judy's head as she repeated aloud, dragging out the last two words:
"...és usted." Suddenly, she smiled, poked her finger in the air as if to say, "Eureka!"
"¡Bien, gracias!" was her joy-filled response.
[Fine, thank you!]
I'm not sure. I think Judy might have immediately commanded, "Do not put that in your blog!"
But, as I just mentioned, I'm not sure.