Francesc Mèlich Collection

History of the creator

The Francisco Mèlich Collection stems from Pablo Picasso's decision to take an inventory of the paintings he had stored at his sister's house at no. 48, Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona.  In fact, Francisco Mèlich made two photographic documentary series. The first dates from 1959, when Mr and Mrs Vilató (Pablo Picasso's nephews) commissioned him to document all drawings and paintings, among other items, stored in that house. These photographs helped Picasso identify and certify the works, many of which went on to form part of the 1970 donation to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. These events are recorded in a report written by Francisco Mèlich on 2 April 1959, in which the photographer declares that, at the request of the Vilató Ruiz siblings, he photographed 994 paintings and drawings by Pablo Ruiz Picasso, and that of these photographs, he made two copies of numbers 1 to 46, and one copy of numbers 47 to 994.

The second series dates from 1970, when the Picasso Museum in Barcelona commissioned Mélich to make reproductions of two albums containing drawings by Pablo Picasso, currently registered under numbers MPB 110.910 to MPB 110.926.

Francisco Mèlich worked as both a publisher and a photographer.

Scope ans content

The collection comprises photographs depicting works of art by Pablo Picasso, which the artist himself donated to the city of Barcelona to be held at the Picasso Museum. It consists of two photography series by Mèlich.

The first, from 1959, contains 994 black and white photographs printed in 13 x 18 format. The second, from 1970, comprises 859 black and white photographs in 13 x 18 format, which feature the photographer's ink stamp on the back.

The 1,853 photographs have a very clear theme, namely, the documentation of works of art. It should be noted that these prints were produced by the photographer; the negatives are still in the possession of the Mèlich family.

This collection of photographs is particularly significant for studying the state of conservation of Picasso's works before they entered the Picasso Museum in Barcelona.

Accession details

The Francisco Mèlich Collection was acquired by the Picasso Museum in Barcelona in 1970 and was purchased from the photographer himself.