Picasso shows real war

Madrid's Reina Sofia museum says it will stage a major Pablo Picasso exhibition to mark the 80th anniversary of his famed Guernica painting, a universal symbol of the cruelty of war.

Pity and Terror in Picasso - the Path to Guernica will open on April 4 and last five months to celebrate the anniversary of the painting itself, as well as its arrival at the museum 25 years ago.

"Close to 150 masterpieces by the artist will be on show, coming from the (museum's) collection and that of more than 30 institutions from around the world," the Reina Sofia said in a statement.