Our top international art picks: Chinese director who evokes spirit of the French New Wave and more

Plus: the sculptures of Picasso and how portrait paintings were a sign of social status in 16th century Florence.

Bronzino, Florence, 1503 - 1572, Portrait of a Lady in red, Städel Museum - U. Edelmann / ARTOTHEK

Retrospective of Picasso’s work in sculpture

Pablo Picasso was never formally trained in the art of sculpture, unlike painting. But it was his freewheeling approach to the medium that made his work so distinctive. This exhibition features more than 100 pieces and examines the reinvention at the centre of his process. Picasso Sculpture runs at New York’s Museum of Modern Art from Monday until February 7. For more information, visit www.moma.org.

Chinese director who evokes New Wave spirit

Yang Fudong’s films examine the angst felt by a young generation in China caught between tradition and modernisation. Some have compared his style to the French New Wave. This solo exhibition in China looks at five works that Fudong has created in the past 10 years. Twin Tracks: Yang Fudong Solo Exhibition runs at the Yuz Museum in Shanghai until November 15. To find out more, visit www.yuzmshanghai.org.

The appeal of portrait painting in the 16th century

During the 16th century, portrait painting became increasingly popular among the Florentine elite as a sign of social status. This exhibition in France displays about 40 works from the masters of this genre, such as Jacopo da Pontormo, Agnolo di Bronzino and Francesco Salviati. Florence, Portraits at the Medicis Court runs at the Musée Jacquemart-André in Paris until January 25. For more information visit www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com.