Pablo Picasso is among the most well known artists of the 20th century, credited with co-founding the entire Cubist movement. The Spanish painter and sculptor’s abstract depictions of the human form, like in his famous anti-war mural, “Guernica” (1937), are easily recognized. But in his later life, he devoted himself to the study of ceramics, eventually creating almost 4,000 works over the course of 25 years.

The often overlooked ceramic work of Picasso is highlighted at Bowers Museum’s latest exhibition, “Picasso Ceramics from the Rosenbaum Collection,” on view now through Feb. 28 in Santa Ana.

“This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore different dimensions of his creativity,” said Seán O’Harrow, chief executive of Bowers Museum. “Through clay, Picasso transformed ancient ceramic traditions onto a bold and deeply personal artistic language.”

Guest curator Salvador Haro González in front of a photo of Pablo Picasso in his ceramic studio at the Bowers Museum.

Guest curator Salvador Haro González in front of a photo of Pablo Picasso in his ceramic studio at the Bowers Museum.

(Sarah Mosqueda)

Organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions and guest curated by Salvador Haro González, the show contains 63 original prints and limited-edition ceramics from the artist.

A spinning potter’s wheel connected to a digital timeline traces Picasso’s career before landing at 1947, when the artist began visiting the renowned Madoura pottery workshops in Vallauris, France. He developed his craft by first shaping vases and plates and eventually moving on to more conceptual works.

“Not only did he create wonderful pieces, he did very interesting, very complex, very innovative pieces,” González said.

The works featured come from the Rosenbaum collection of Boca Raton, Fla. Marvin Rosenbaum spent nearly 50 years collecting Picasso ceramics, inspired by his own visit to Vallauris, where he first discovered and fell in love with the artist’s ceramics. Today, the Rosenbaum Collection includes over 600 works.

Many of the pieces combine Picasso’s signature playfulness with technical skill. An earthenware piece, titled “Four Faces,” features a funny face from all four angles. It was cleverly created by leaning into the curvature of the vessel and taking advantage of the handle, which from one vantage point serves as a nose.

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973), Four Faces,1959 © 2026 Estate of Pablo Picasso.

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973), Four Faces,1959 © 2026 Estate of Pablo Picasso.

(Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York)

González notes that while some of Picasso’s other works might be more challenging for the casual art viewer, ceramics tend to be a more approachable medium.

“Ceramics are more familiar and closer to ordinary people, ordinary life and they help us better understand Picasso’s viewpoint,” González said. “Seeing a face that is facing front but also in profile at the same time, people don’t always understand. But in ceramics it is quite easy.”

Archival photographs and other multimedia supplement the ceramics, depicting how Picasso mastered working with clay. In addition, Bowers Museum collaborated with Orange County School of the Arts to create examples of ceramics in different stages for this exhibition.

“We’d like to thank Randy Au, assistant director of the Visual Arts Conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts,” O’Harrow said. “He and his students created a marvelous ceramic touch gallery in this exhibition.”

Other interactive elements at the show include an opportunity for visitors to design their own vessels on a worksheet with colored pencils that can then be projected onto a large-scale vase.

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973), Wood-Owl with Feathers, 1951 © 2026 Estate of Pablo Picasso.

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973), Wood-Owl with Feathers, 1951 © 2026 Estate of Pablo Picasso.

(Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.)

In honor of the exhibition, Bowers Museum will also host a Ceramics Fair on Nov. 15 in the John M. Lee Court and Key Courtyard from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Nov. 29, the museum will present a special screening of “The Mystery of Picasso” a 1956 documentary on the artist in the Norma Kershaw Auditorium at 1:30 p.m.

O’Harrow hopes the exhibition will inspire visitors to see the famed Picasso in a new light.

“This reminds us that great artists never stop experimenting, questioning and reimagining the world around them,” O’Harrow said.

“Picasso Ceramics from the Rosenbaum Collection,” opened Saturday and is on view to Feb. 28. at Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. For details and tickets, visit bowers.org.