The Picasso

The Chicago Picasso, an untitled monumental sculpture by Pablo Picasso, stands in Daley Plaza, Chicago. Installed in 1967, it marked a significant shift in civic and urban art by expanding the concept beyond mere commemoration.

The COR-TEN steel structure, dedicated on August 15, 1967, stands 50 feet tall, weighs 162 tons, and is recognized for its distinctive Cubist design. It has become a beloved landmark, often serving as a public jungle gym where visitors climb and slide.

Commissioned in 1963 for the Chicago Civic Center by the architects at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Picasso's gift to the city cost $351,959.17, funded by charitable foundations. Despite an offer of $100,000, Picasso refused payment, emphasizing his desire to make a cultural contribution to the city.