Hidden Picasso Portrait of Dora Maar Sells for $37 Million
A long-lost treasure by Pablo Picasso has just made its way back into the spotlight — and what a return it was. A vibrant portrait titled “Bust of a Woman with a Flowered Hat,” painted in July 1943, has sold for an astonishing $37 million at a Paris auction. This artwork, depicting Picasso’s famous muse and partner Dora Maar, had remained unseen by the public for over eighty years before resurfacing in spectacular fashion.
The portrait captures Dora Maar, an artist and photographer in her own right, during a deeply emotional time in her relationship with Picasso. Their partnership, which lasted around seven years, was nearing its end when this piece was created. Painted in a burst of color and emotion, the artwork stands as both a reflection of Picasso’s evolving artistic phase and a bittersweet symbol of a fading love story.
Auctioneer Christophe Lucien described the event as “an enormous success” and “a very emotional moment.” The painting sold for 32 million euros, including fees — a figure well above its original estimate. The winning bidder was reportedly present in the room, making the moment even more memorable. According to Lucien, this was the highest price paid at auction in France this year, and he beautifully called the work “a little piece of the story of love” between Picasso and Dora Maar.
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Art expert Agnès Sevestre-Barbé, who previewed the piece before the auction, was astonished at how vividly the colors had been preserved. She noted that the painting had never been varnished, leaving its natural hues intact — just as they were when the artwork left Picasso’s studio back in 1943. She described it as “a painting that speaks for itself,” full of expression and raw emotion. Previously, this portrait had only been known through a black-and-white photograph, so its rediscovery in full color came as a stunning revelation to the art world.
While $37 million might sound extraordinary, it’s not close to Picasso’s most expensive works ever sold. His “Femme à la montre” fetched over $139 million in 2023, and “Les Femmes d’Alger” shattered records back in 2015 with a staggering $179 million sale. Still, this auction wasn’t just about the price — it was about history, art, and rediscovery.
After more than eight decades hidden from view, Picasso’s “Bust of a Woman with a Flowered Hat” has reemerged, reminding the world of the artist’s brilliance — and of the muse who once inspired his passion and pain in equal measure.
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