The Paris auction house revealed a painting by Pablo Picasso that has not been exhibited for decades

Paris – The Paris auction house Drouot today presented a portrait painted by Pablo Picasso that has not been exhibited for several decades. The painting, which experts from AFP describe as truly exceptional, has been preliminarily valued by the auction house at eight million euros (approximately 195 million CZK). The work will be auctioned at the end of October.

The colorful oil painting titled Buste de femme au chapeau a fleurs (Bust of a Woman in a Hat with Flowers) was painted by Picasso on July 11, 1943, and a year later it was acquired for the collection of a prominent French collector, the grandparent of the current owners. They have now decided to sell this painting as part of the inheritance proceedings.

The portrait, inspired by naturalism and cubism, captures Picasso's partner Dora Maar at the time when the artist left her for the younger woman Françoise Gilot.

"The painting is not known to the public and, except for Picasso's studio in Paris during the (German) occupation, it has never been exhibited anywhere," said Agnes Sevestre-Barbé, a specialist on the works of the Spanish artist, during the portrait's unveiling. According to her, it represents a milestone in the history of art.

The painting, authenticated by the administration of Picasso's estate, was known to experts and lovers of the artist's work only in black-and-white versions due to the official catalog of his works. The authenticity of the painting is also supported by photographs from the avant-garde photographer and Picasso's friend Brassai, which the auction house displayed alongside the portrait.