Building on its diverse offering of immersive cultural experiences across the spectrum of art, history, music and science on board, on shore and at home, Viking Cruises announces its sponsorship of the Picasso and Paper exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts.  Featuring over 300 works from Picasso's entire prolific 80-year career, Picasso and Paper will be the most comprehensive exhibition devoted to his imaginative and original uses of paper ever to be held and will run from 25 January to 13 April 2020.

One of Viking's new cultural partners, the Royal Academy, which was founded in 1768, is one of the most prestigious art institutions in the UK.  Based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London, it is an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. 

Iconic locations from Picasso's life in Europe, including Paris, Budapest, Barcelona and Málaga are featured destinations on Viking's river and ocean cruises.  Málaga, the birthplace of Picasso, has two museums dedicated to the famed Cubist artist. The Picasso Museum is located within the Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista, or Palace of the Counts of Buenavista, and Museo Casa Natal, or the Birthplace Museum, which is where Picasso was born.  The museums which house the three largest collections of Picasso's work are also highlights on Viking itineraries – guests can opt to visit Musée Picasso in Paris; Museu Picasso in Barcelona; and Museum Ludwig in Cologne.

Wendy Atkin-Smith, Managing Director of Viking UK, said: 'Viking is thrilled to be helping to bring this exhibition to the UK.  Our guests love art and the Picasso Museums across Europe are always a highlight on our river and ocean itineraries.  Our ocean ships are like floating galleries encompassing a variety of media and styles — from digital to print, oil paintings to photography and sculpture - so the partnership with the Royal Academy on this particular exhibition which focuses on Picasso's work on paper is a natural extension of our onboard offering.  We are very proud to be working with the Royal Academy, one of the most prestigious art institutions in the UK, and we look forward to the opening of the exhibition next January.'

With its own collection of artwork on all its ocean ships, including original pieces by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, Viking is adding a touch of artistic flair to projects and partnerships throughout 2019, such as working with its friends at the British Museum on the Edvard Munch: Love and Angst exhibition, which runs until 21 July 2019.  Other projects include Viking's gold medal-winning garden at the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.  The 'Art of Viking' garden by designer Paul Hervey-Brookes was inspired by artwork on board the ocean ship, Viking Orion – specifically a painting by Norwegian impressionist Jakob Weidemann, 'Impressions on Nature', as well as ceramic pieces by Anette Krogstad.

Viking is also a partner of Classic FM and is the presenting sponsor of the London leg of the TUTANKHAMUN: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh world tour which features the largest collection of Tutankhamun's treasures ever to travel outside of Egypt.  The exhibition will open on 2 November 2019.

To make a booking or for more information about Viking Cruises and Picasso-inspired itineraries, please go to www.vikingcruises.co.uk  or call 0800 319 66 60.