Untitled by Pablo Picasso — Attraction in Chicago

Standing 50 feet tall and weighing over 160 tons, the Chicago Picasso in Daley Plaza is much more than just artwork to Chicagoans. The untitled Picasso sculpture that originally sparked controversy in the city has now become one of Chicago’s most famous sculptures and beloved icons.

The Chicago Picasso was commissioned in 1963 by the architects of the Richard J. Daley Center to anchor the plaza on the east side of the building. Most public art in large cities at this time was calm and stoic, mainly depicting historical figures, but in the 1960s, architecture in American cities began to reflect the many cultural and modern changes taking place throughout the country. The Daley Center’s architects decided to commission the renowned Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, to create a monumental sculpture for their plaza.

Picasso worked on this commission for two years, combining and modifying sketches and motifs from some of his earlier works in the design of the sculpture. This resulted in a 42-inch tall maquette, or model, of the sculpture. Both the maquette and sketches of the sculpture may be seen today at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The Chicago Picasso is built of Cor-Ten steel, the same material as the exterior of the Daley Center, and was assembled not far from Chicago at the U.S. Steel Company in Gary, Indiana. On August 15, 1967, thousands of people gathered in Daley Plaza to witness the unveiling and dedication of the city’s newest piece of public art. In his dedication letter, Picasso gave the sculpture as a gift to the people of Chicago, without ever explaining what the sculpture was intended...

Whenever I’m in Chicago, I stop by the Picasso. It’s free. It’s easy to find. It’s weird.

We were here the day of the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Just like in the Fugitive with Harrison Ford.

Spoiler for a 30-year old movie: He evades Tommy Lee Jones as he shuffled across the plaza in front of the Picasso and blends into the St. Pats parade to escape.

While the parade no longer goes down a street adjacent to the Picasso, (did it ever or was that Hollywood?) the Picasso is still in the same place. You can reenact the Harrison Ford getaway shuffle all you’d like in the plaza. Walk in the footsteps of one of the best actors ever.

All that, and there’s a cool Picasso to look at. Stop...

This is a Chicago icon. Every one needs to get a chance to check this out. Every time we have a friend from out of town that comes to visit us, I make sure we drive past so they can see it and they always get excited seeing this in person. It is always fun to see the reaction on their faces when they see this work of art that they have only seen in movies, TV shows. commercials, pictures, etc. It has to be one of my most favorite things to do when I am playing the role of the Chicago tour guide for family, friends, and business associates that do not live in the Chicago area to have the opportunity to show them this as I showcase many iconic and truly...