The city of Málaga has unveiled a sculpture dedicated to José Ruiz Blasco, father of the renowned painter Pablo Picasso. The artwork, created by artist Xavier Vilató, who is Picasso's grandnephew and Ruiz Blasco's great-grandson, has been installed in the gardens opposite the Faculty of Fine Arts.

The sculpture, initially made of plaster and destined for bronze casting, depicts Ruiz Blasco with a child, presumed to be a young Picasso, alongside nine pigeons, a recurring motif in his iconography. The tribute aims to highlight Ruiz Blasco's significance in his son's early artistic training, providing him with the foundational skills he would later revolutionize.

Vilató stressed the importance of recognizing José Ruiz Blasco, who, despite his role as a drawing teacher and his connections within the artistic community of the time, has been historically overlooked in Málaga. The artist noted that Ruiz Blasco was crucial in shaping Pablo Picasso, equipping him with the tools for his subsequent departure from convention.

The artist also shared how his own understanding of art is linked to this family tradition, where drawing was a common means of communication. He expressed his hope for replicas of the sculpture in other cities where Ruiz Blasco taught, such as A Coruña and Barcelona. The artwork was previously viewed by Paloma Picasso, the painter's daughter, in a deeply touching encounter.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by the mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, and attended by institutional representatives. However, the event was also marked by protests from a group of Fine Arts students, who criticized the project's priority over other neighborhood needs, chanting slogans like “Give Picasso no attention” and “More houses, less Picasso”.