In Tehran, Iran, a collection of Pablo Picasso's masterpieces, hidden for over 30 years, has been revealed to the public. The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) is showcasing 26 of Picasso's works, including "Portrait of a Man," "Cry of War," and "Echo of Sorrow." Among the highlights is "The Painter and His Model," a significant piece from 1927, alongside 53 other paintings. The exhibition also features 12 aquatint prints from the rare "La Tauromaquia" series, reflecting Picasso's interest in Spanish bullfighting.
This exhibition is part of a larger collection of nearly 4,000 modern art pieces owned by the museum, most of which have been unseen since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Hassan Nouferasti, TMoCA's public relations director, emphasized the importance of showcasing Picasso's work, noting the artist's global influence.
The museum also features works by American artists like Alexander Calder. Visitors, such as 33-year-old painter and musician Parisa Hosseini, have expressed excitement about the exhibition. Nadereh Rezai, Iran's deputy culture minister, praised Picasso's revolutionary impact on art, while highlighting the significance of contemporary Iranian art.
The museum, opened in 1977 by former queen Farah Pahlavi, was a trailblazer in collecting modern art from Europe and America. Sussan Babaie, an expert in Islamic and Iranian arts, noted the collection's role in spotlighting Tehran's vibrant art scene at the time. The collection includes works by van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Dali, housed in a modernist building.
Following the 1979 revolution, many artworks were stored away due to their controversial themes. However, the museum has gradually regained its cultural prominence. In 2012, it hosted a groundbreaking exhibition featuring pop artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Last year, the "Eye to Eye" exhibition, showcasing hidden Western art, was extended due to high demand. The collection's value was estimated at $3 to $4 billion in 2021, with a Jackson Pollock piece alone valued at $600 to $700 million.
Despite the exhibition's significance, Americans are unable to visit due to travel restrictions and political unrest warnings. In Iran, where strict cultural laws are in place, the exhibition provides a unique glimpse into the country's cultural landscape. Hamid Keshmirshekan, an art historian, highlighted the exhibition's role in showcasing Iran's vibrant cultural scene and the younger generation's efforts to engage in global cultural conversations, despite facing numerous challenges.
The report was contributed by Amin Khodadadi from Tehran and Astha Rajvanshi from London. Astha Rajvanshi is a London-based reporter for NBC News Digital, with a background in international news coverage.