ISTANBUL.- Sabancı University’s Sakıp Sabancı Museum (SSM) hosts an exhibition of the works of Pablo Picasso, one of the twentieth century’s greatest artists. The exhibition is titled ‘Picasso in Istanbul’ and will be on view until March 26, 2006. This is the first major exhibition in Turkey devoted to a western artist, many of Picasso’s important works will be presented. Picasso in Istanbul will have the distinction of being the first ever exhibition in Turkey to focus on a single western artist, and will comprise of 135 works, including some dating from Picasso’s youth in his native Spain. The artist’s grandson, Bernard Ruiz-Picasso has selected the works, from the Picasso museums in Paris and Barcelona, Musée d’art moderne Lille Métropole, and from FABA (Fundación Almine Bernard Ruiz–Picasso para el Arte), which will be presented chronologically. The exhibition will also feature pictures of the artist’s studio, and of his friends and relatives, taken by notable photographers. Picasso biographer Marilyn McCully is in charge of the catalogue and exhibition efforts, and the Sabancı Grouo of companies is supporting Picasso in Istanbul financially. The catalogue, which is expected to become an important scholarly resource for Picasso researchers, will include essays by notable experts such as John Richardson and Michel Leiris, and will be available in both Turkish and English. By offering enlightening seminars and films, among other events, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum is hoping to present the oeuvre of this prolific artist comprehensively and informatively.