A Pablo Picasso painting that has remained hidden from public view for eight decades is set to make headlines at a major Paris auction next month. The artwork, a portrait of Dora Maar titled "Bust of a Woman in a Flowery Hat," will be offered for sale by the French auction house Lucien Paris with an estimated value of approximately $9.5 million.
The 1943 painting depicts Maar, who was not only Picasso's lover and muse but also an accomplished artist in her own right. The work was purchased by a private collector in August 1944, just one year after its completion, and has remained in private hands ever since. Prior to its sale in 1944, the portrait was exhibited only a handful of times outside of Picasso's personal studio.
The painting's current owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, inherited the masterpiece from a grandparent. Historical documentation of the artwork exists in two photographs taken by renowned photographer Brassaï in 1944, which show the painting among other works stacked in Picasso's studio. These rare images have been included in the auction house's official catalogue for the upcoming sale.
While the $9.5 million estimate is substantial, it falls significantly short of Picasso's current auction record. That record was set in 2015 at Christie's New York when "Les femmes d'Alger (Version O)," a 1955 painting, sold for an astounding $179.4 million. The buyer was reportedly a member of Qatar's royal Al Thani family.
"Bust of a Woman in a Flowery Hat" represents one of numerous portraits Picasso created of Maar throughout their relationship. Notably, this particular work was painted toward the end of their romantic involvement. Perhaps more famous among Picasso's depictions of Maar is his 1937 "Weeping Woman" series, which portrayed her in various states of emotional turmoil and distress.
The highly anticipated auction is scheduled to take place on October 24 at the prestigious Hôtel Drouot in Paris. Art enthusiasts and collectors worldwide are expected to closely watch this rare opportunity to acquire a significant work that has been absent from the public eye for nearly a century. The painting is currently on display at Lucien Paris, offering viewers their first chance in 80 years to see this remarkable piece of art history.
