The University Union Gallery is featuring an original work of famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso in its  “Ink on Paper: Creating an Artistic Expression” exhibit, which opened Monday, Aug. 29.

The piece, Le Vieux Roi, also known as “The Old King”, is currently serving as the gallery’s main attraction in the exhibit . This lithograph was created by Picasso in 1959 and purchased by the art department and added to its permanent collection less than a decade later.

Rebecca Voorhees, design, identity and studio manager of the University Union, was surprised to find out that such a valuable piece of art has been stashed away for so many years.

“Who knew that there was even a Picasso [original] at Sac State?” Voorhees said. “I think that [Le Vieux Roi] is certainly an attention grabber and it will be a good draw for people.”

David Michel, a junior majoring in recreation, parks, and tourism administration, was also shocked to see the Picasso illustration while browsing the gallery.

“At first, I asked if it was a replica because I wasn’t sure if it was a real one,” Michel said.  “It’s like a little piece of history here at Sac State.”

Nancy Wylie, a graduate student studying museum studies, discovered the masterpiece during an inventory check of the collection as an undergraduate student. She later curated the exhibit and said she is ready to unveil to the campus community what the art department has been conserving for almost 50 years.

“Originally, there were two Picasso prints, although one is still missing,” Wylie said. “Because there were no records kept prior to 2007, it has been very difficult to establish who purchased it or its [place of origin].”

By featuring a big-name artist like Picasso, Voorhees said she hopes that both students and faculty will visit the vast collection housed here on campus.

“There are people who have seeing a Picasso piece on their bucket list and we have one here at the Union Gallery in an environment that is super accessible for everyone,” Voorhees said.

On Thursday, Sept. 1, gallerygoers had the opportunity to converse with fellow enthusiasts about the exhibit at the reception party, which followed a panel discussion of the entire show.

“Ink on Paper: Creating an Artistic Expression” will be open to the public until Sept. 22.