"Massacre in Korea," Pablo Picasso's painting depicting the Korean War, will be unveiled for the first time in Korea. (Vichae Art Museum)

By Kim Minji

Pablo Picasso's painting "Massacre in Korea" depicting the Korean War will be displayed in Korea for the first time.

Vichae Art Museum on March 30 said the work will be part of the exhibition the museum will host from May 1 to Aug. 29 titled "Picasso: Into the Myth" at Hangaram Arts Center Museum of Seoul Arts Center. The event will mark the painter's 140th birthday.

"Massacre in Korea" was completed in January 1951 during the war and its unveiling came in May that year at the "Salon de Mai" exhibition in Paris.

The painting depicts soldiers clad in iron armor about to fire on naked women including those pregnant and girls. It was inspired by a massacre committed during the conflict by the U.S. Army in Sinchon-gun County, Hwanghaenam-do Province, of present-day North Korea.

The Anticommunism Law of South Korea prevented the work's display here for a long time.

The museum said, "Attempts by national and public museums to bring (the painting) to Korea failed several times," adding, "The commemorative painting is stepping on Korean soil for the first time in 70 years since its unveiling, providing a valuable opportunity for us to reflect on our history via Picasso's work."

The large-scale exhibition is a retrospective of the Spaniard's works, displaying 110 artworks from the Paris-based Musee Picasso.

In addition, "Marie-Therese Walter" and "Paul in a Clown Suit," two works considered to be among Picasso's best, and oil paintings, engravings and ceramics will be exhibited.

kimmj7725@korea.kr