Research reveals Picasso’s wish to die in communion with the Church

Madrid, Spain, Nov 10, 2003 / 22:00 pm

A Spanish scholar who is researching the life and works of Pablo Picasso has revealed that the famous artists from Malaga desired to be married in the Church with his lover Jacqueline, and that he also wanted “to die in communion with the Church” and be buried in Malaga’s Cathedral.

In his book on Picasso, Juan Maldonado says Picasso told a Dominican priest in 1963 of his desire to be buried in Malaga, together with his uncle and godfather, Father Pablo Ruiz Blasco, who was a priest at the Cathedral.

Maldonado explained that at 77 years of age, Picasso had wished to be married in the Church with Jacqueline, and he went to consult with a Dominican priest, Father Severino Alvarez, who was a professor at the University of Rome, telling him of his religious upbringing and of his desire “to die in communion with the Church of God.”  He also told the priest: “I wish to be buried alongside Pablo, my godfather.” 

The 72 year-old Spanish scholar compiled information on the life and work of Picasso for almost half a century in preparation for his first book.  The revelations on Picasso’s desire to return to the faith late in life were found in a 1984 interview of the Spanish daily “ABC” with a Dominican priest who referred to the statements made by Picasso. 

Maldonado says after his book was published, he informed the mayor of Malaga of his discoveries so “the wishes of the artist might be granted and his remains be transferred to Malaga.”