A long-hidden Pablo Picasso painting, unseen for eight decades, has been unveiled in Paris. The work, Bust of a Woman in a Flowery Hat (Dora Maar), captures one of the artist’s most famous muses in a softer, more colorful light than his earlier portrayals.
What Happened
The portrait, completed in July 1943 during the German occupation of Paris, resurfaced after being held in a private French collection since 1944. It was last seen publicly in Picasso’s studio on Rue des Grands Augustins before being sold just months before the city’s liberation. Auction house Lucien Paris unveiled the piece this week, estimating its value at €8 million (£6.9 million), though experts believe it could sell for much more when it goes under the hammer on October 24.
Who Was Dora Maar
Dora Maar, born in 1907, was a French surrealist photographer and painter best remembered as Picasso’s lover, muse, and frequent subject between 1936 and 1943. Despite being immortalized in some of his most famous works, Maar once remarked: “All of his portraits of me are lies. They’re all Picassos. Not one is Dora Maar.” She died in Paris in 1997 at the age of 89.
Career and Legacy
Maar’s influence on Picasso’s work was profound. He often painted her as a figure of anguish, as in La Femme qui pleure (Weeping Woman), which symbolized both the tragedy of the Spanish Civil War and their tumultuous relationship. At the time the rediscovered portrait was created, Maar had just learned Picasso intended to leave her for the much younger artist Françoise Gilot. Unlike his earlier depictions of Maar, this newly unveiled painting reveals bright, fragmented colors, showing her at once anguished yet luminous.
Public and Expert Reactions
Auctioneer Christophe Lucien described the rediscovery as a historic moment:
“It is not only a milestone in the history of art but also in the private life of Picasso. It is a refreshing portrait of Dora Maar; exceptional and full of emotion. Discovering it is a big moment in our lives as experts.”
The art world has welcomed the unveiling, noting its importance in filling a gap in Picasso’s wartime catalog. Social media has also buzzed with excitement, with many calling it one of the most significant Picasso discoveries in years.
What Happens Next
The painting will be displayed for three days before its auction on October 24, where international collectors are expected to drive the price far beyond its conservative estimate.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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