Picasso Statue
Picasso Statue
4.5
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
- Lake • 3 min walk
- Clark/Lake • 4 min walk
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3,176 within 5 kms
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582 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
701 reviews
Excellent
367
Very good
228
Average
95
Poor
7
Terrible
4
Kelly O
Minneapolis, MN2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
I saw this Picasso sculpture while in Chicago. There was a farmer's market here while I was there, so I didn't get a great photo.
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gidons51
Herzliya, Israel4,330 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Picasso was invited to make this sculpture by the mayor of Chicago in 1967 . In front of the town hall this sculpture was built under cover , no one knew what it looks like .the inauguration took place , the cover was removed, and everyone was surprised regarding the outcome , many very disappointed.
Take a few minutes to pass by .
Take a few minutes to pass by .
Written 27 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China159,164 contributions
Apr 2023
There are a handful of large public art installations scattered around downtown including this landmark sculpture by Pablo Picasso (1967) which is located at Daly Plaza along West Washington Street. It is a 15 metre tall Cubist sculpture that from the sides looks like fragmented sheets of metal. However, when viewed directly in front, resembles the head of an Afghan Hound.
It is an interesting public artwork worth spending a few minutes to enjoy if you plan to be in the downtown area and enjoy art and monument viewing during your travels. You will also find large scale works by Miro, Dubuffet, Chagall and Calder nearby the Chicago Picasso sculpture as well.
It is an interesting public artwork worth spending a few minutes to enjoy if you plan to be in the downtown area and enjoy art and monument viewing during your travels. You will also find large scale works by Miro, Dubuffet, Chagall and Calder nearby the Chicago Picasso sculpture as well.
Written 10 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Z
Indianapolis, IN186 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Just like Calder’s Flamingo, you can do a drive by and see this without spending too much time. Not sure what else there is to see about this. Maybe I didn’t research it enough beforehand, but it just wasn’t impressive when we saw it.
Written 27 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL18,030 contributions
Jun 2022
In the center of the open square in front of City Hall stands an untitled sculpture to the City of Chicago. Picasso, who rarely did large civic art, gave this to the city free of charge as a gift to a gangster city. The steel was manufactured near by in Gary and assembled here.
Like most public art, the untitled sculpture was hated initially. However, over time it has become a cultural icon of the city and one of the top attractions. It has appeared in numerous Chicago movies. After 55 years it is accepted as a Chicago pop icon and something I made an effort to see in the Loop.
Like most public art, the untitled sculpture was hated initially. However, over time it has become a cultural icon of the city and one of the top attractions. It has appeared in numerous Chicago movies. After 55 years it is accepted as a Chicago pop icon and something I made an effort to see in the Loop.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diana R
Birch Run, MI2,055 contributions
Jun 2021
Not very far out of the way off Michigan Avenue is the Picasso statue. My daughter & I recently visited Chicago and we both love Picasso, so we had to take the short walk to see it. It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be. We both enjoyed seeing it.
Written 7 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
Jun 2021
The Picasso Statue, whoever it is or whatever it is, attracts more people than any other attraction in Chicago, more than Navy Pier or Wrigley Field or the Art Institute. Located at 50 West Washington Street, in the Richard J. Daley Plaza Civic Center, in Chicago's Loop, the untitled monumental sculpture by Pablo Picasso was dedicated on August 15, 1967. It has become a well-known landmark, is known for its inviting jungle gym-like characteristics and has become a popular meeting spot for Chicagoans. The cor-ten steel sculpture is 50 feet tall and weighs 162 short tons. For years, critics have speculated what the statue represents. Picasso once said that the head of the sculpture was an abstract representation of his Afghan Hound named Kabul. Legendary Chicago newspaper columnist Mike Royko, crediting Picasso with understanding the soul of Chicago, said: "Its eyes are like the eyes of every slum owner who made a buck off the small and weak." Whatever the motive or the motivation, Picasso's sculpture inspired other famous artists such as Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall and Joan Miro, who later contributed artwork to Chicago. One art critic, noting the importance and significance of the Picasso statue and the fact that it was the first such major public artwork in downtown Chicago, said it "precipitated an aesthetic shift in civic and urban planning, broadening the idea of public art beyond the commemorative." Picasso was offered payment of $100,00 for his work but refused, stating that he wanted it to be a gift to the city. Did he anticipate that visitors can often be seen climbing on and sliding down the base of his great sculpture?
Written 12 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Princess279
East Brunswick, NJ850 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
It's Picasso! If you take your time and read the story, you'll surely find something about to be amazed with. Sadly, you still can see the left overs of the vandalism few years ago, but it doesn't diminish the grandiosity of the piece. Check it out from every angle, it's worth it (along with the Miró, Chagall, Calder,... etc. you can experience as a part of the same short self-guiding walking tour). Only in Chicago!
Written 26 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
liverpool1023
London, UK850 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
It’s the street art that makes Chicago and great walking city. If you are going for a super sized sculpture, why not make it an enigmatic Picasso. Untitled could be a women or a dog or even a baboon. Something to ponder when you are munching a sandwich in Daley Plaza.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MargieGuyer
West Chester, PA2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
When in Chicago, try to see this sculpture. How often are you in the presence of one of the masters works of art?
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
snoopers2948
Salem, OR104 contributions
How far is it from the Palmer House?
Cheryl C
Chicago, IL96 contributions
You want to head west on Washington from State.......Palmer House is on Monroe and State. Monroe is two block south of Washington. Once you get to Washington, turn left, cross Dearborn and the statue is right there. Have lunch at Pret a Manger at Dearborn and Monroe. They have a great lunch....or head to Italian Village for authentic Italian food and great atmosphere. I hope this helps.
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Claim your listingPicasso Statue - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Picasso Statue
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Picasso Statue:
- Your Way or the Highway: 2-hour Customized Private Walking Tour in Chicago (From HK$1,715.39)
- Chicago Architecture & Highlights with Local Treat - Small Group Walking Tour (From HK$460.04)
- WALKIN' WITH COLIN! Chicago : History-Mystery-Comedy-Tragedy (From HK$343.08)
- Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: The Underground Pedway & Secrets of the Loop (From HK$272.90)
- Chicago Art Deco Madness Walking Tour (From HK$350.87)
- Hotels near Picasso Statue:
- (0.18 km) Staypineapple, An Iconic Hotel, The Loop Chicago
- (0.13 km) Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop - Theatre District
- (0.28 km) Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown/Loop
- (0.33 km) Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago Theatre District
- (0.27 km) The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop
- Restaurants near Picasso Statue:
- (0.05 km) Starbucks
- (0.09 km) The Dearborn
- (0.08 km) Petterino's
- (0.18 km) 312 Chicago
- (0.15 km) Walnut Room