Palestinian art lovers are to get a rare chance to view a Picasso when the painting goes on display in April, on loan from a Dutch museum.

Eindhoven's Van Abbe Museum is lending the 1943 canvas Buste de Femme to the Ramallah international art academy, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports.

A film is due to be made of the painting's journey, including the Israeli border and other checkpoints.

A special, temperature-controlled room is being prepared to house it.

It is believed to be the first time a Picasso masterpiece will go on display in the Palestinian territories.

The "Picasso In Palestine" exhibition is a joint project between the Van Abbe and the Ramallah academy.

Other works in the Eindhoven museum's collection include pieces by Kandinsky and Mondrian, and paintings by Dutch artists such as Isaac Israels and Carel Willink.