Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) has reopened its doors to art lovers, rolling out a selection of works by Pablo Picasso in its latest exhibition, ‘Picasso in Tehran’, according to a report by the Iran Daily newspaper on March 12.

The exhibition features 66 works by the Spanish artist, spanning various periods of his career, including pieces from Picasso’s La Tauromaquia ("The Art of Bullfighting") series and are part of TMoCA's collections of 20th century artworks purchased by the last Queen of Iran, Farah Diba before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The collection, which includes works from several prominent Western artists, including Francis Bacon and Andy Warhol, to name a few, is estimated to be worth more than $10bn, according to several curators who have been lucky enough to see the entire collection.

Bringing together a mix of Picasso’s prints, paintings, sculptures, and artist books, the art show highlights his legacy and his profound influence on Iranian modernists. It is a rare chance for visitors to engage with the breadth of his work, from his explorations in Cubism to his deeply personal representations of war and suffering.

By framing Picasso’s pieces alongside works by his contemporaries, which are also part of the collection, including Georges Braque, Robert Delaunay, Fernand Léger, František Kupka, and Joan Miró—the exhibition offers a richer narrative on the artistic currents that shaped him.

Museum consultant Reza Dabirinejad said the exhibition’s role in bridging cultural dialogue, stating that museums do not operate in a vacuum. “Selecting Picasso was a deliberate decision that goes beyond simply displaying art. It’s about museum diplomacy, about fostering a universal conversation on creativity and peace,” he said.

Running until May 21, the exhibition has been strategically timed to attract waves of visitors, particularly during the Nowruz holiday and comes after significant renovation on the building in recent years, including fixing pipes which had damaged some priceless artworks in recent years, according to curators close to the exhibitions, local Living in Tehran magazine noted previously.  

Among the standout pieces on display are ‘The Painter and His Model,’ ‘Open Window on the Rue de Penthièvre,’ ‘Baboon and Young,’ and multiple variations of ‘Weeping Woman.’

One of the most appealing elements of the art fair is a set of four artist books, three of which are being unveiled for the first time, including ‘La Tauromaquia,’ a 26-piece aquatint series reflecting Picasso’s deep connection to Spanish bullfighting culture.

Curators have deliberately placed Picasso’s works alongside those of his contemporaries to provide historical context. The selection highlights the interplay between artistic movements and underscores how his bold experimentation influenced generations of artists, both in Iran and abroad. 

Curating a display of this scale required rigorous research and conservation efforts. Experts took pains to ensure that each piece was displayed in its best possible condition, with preservation teams working behind the scenes to counteract the natural wear and tear that can come from exposure over time and poor storage. 

The exhibition’s significance was evident at its high-profile opening, attended by Iranian cultural officials, foreign ambassadors, and art enthusiasts. Among those present was Spain’s Ambassador to Iran, Antonio Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, who reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cultural ties with Iran.

Deputy Culture Minister Nadereh Rezaei hopes the exhibition will pave the way for future collaborations. “Cultural commonalities between Iran and Spain can serve as a solid foundation for joint projects,” she added.

The quality of exhibitions at the museum ebbs and flows, as with changing political trends in the country, with more relaxed administrations led by the country's reformists often allowing the curators more leeway and bringing in better management. This latest upward trajectory is likely to give the current administration on Pasteur Street an easy win.