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Picasso; he is considered one of the most influential and brilliant painters the world has seen, and even those who don't have the slightest interest in art are sure to know his name and work. But if you are a fan of his distinctive style, it can be hard to get a look at his original paintings.

With galleries displaying Picasso's work in cities such as Barcelona, Berlin and Paris, simply acquiring an entry ticket into a museum could result in a three-hour queue alongside hundreds of other Picasso fans.Aa That's why today's opening in Abu Dhabi of the first-ever exhibition of the works of Pablo Picasso in the Arab world is a thrilling event.

If you get yourself organised now, viewing the masterpieces of the 20th century's signature artist, won't involve frustratingly long queues - just yet anyway. Starting today, the retrospective 'Picasso Abu Dhabi: Masterpieces from the MusE[umlaut]e National Picasso, Paris' opens its doors to the UAE public today - a real treat for the region's art fans.

Gracing the walls at Gallery One at Emirates Palace from May 27 until September 4, 2008, this unique exhibition features 186 paintings, sculptures and drawings from the renowned Spanish artist.Aa The UAE capital is the second city in a nine-nation tour of this particular exhibition and is the only Middle Eastern venue on the tour.

Abu Dhabi's version of the exhibition is slightly differentiated by the inclusion of 40 drawings, prints and illuminated manuscripts reminiscent of the Arab influences Picasso absorbed during his youth in MEilaga, La Cocina and Barcelona.Aa This much anticipated exhibition is drawn exclusively from the holdings of the MusE[umlaut]e National Picasso in Paris, which came directly from the artist's studios and traces Picasso's career across a range of work beginning with his Blue Period 'Self-Portrait' (1901) and concluding with 'Portrait of the Young Painter' (1972), made only months before his death.

"This is a genuine retrospective seen through a museum collection. We have here a totally new situation, since we are able to follow Picasso's own trajectory, his search, the development of his awareness, and his discoveries, through his paintings, sculptures and drawings," said Anne Baldassari, director, MusE[umlaut]e National Picasso, Paris.

To learn more about the great Picasso, public initiatives have been organised to coincide with the exhibition, and activities include interactive art workshops, illustrated lectures, guided exhibition tours and debates on Picasso and his artistic extensive legacy.

The exhibition is open daily from 10am-10pm from May 27 until September 4, 2008 at Gallery One at Emirates Palace. Entry is free-of-charge. For more information please call 02 690 8206.

Picasso education begins this week with a free-to-attend evening devoted to Picasso's work. It will be held at the Emirates Palace and will be led by Anne Baldassari. Those wishing to attend can register by logging on to www.artsabudhabi.com or by calling the special hotline 600 522 299.Aa

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