(November 29, 2010)
"Hundreds of unknown Pablo Picasso works worth tens of millions of euros have surfaced in France in the hands of a 71-year-old retired electrician who says they were gifts from the master.
"Dating from the first third of the 20th century -- considered Picasso's most fertile period -- the 271 pieces are valued by experts at more than 60 million euros (80 million dollars), France's Liberation newspaper reported.
"And the new-found drawings, paintings and studies are now at the heart of a legal tug-of-war between the electrician, Pierre Le Guennec, and the artist's heirs who believe they must have been stolen and have filed for charges.
" 'No one can seriouly believe that the artist made these gifts, it's completely crazy,' the Picasso family's lawyer Jean-Jacques Neuer told AFP on Monday.
" 'This electrician, who claims to have been a long-time friend, has never been heard of despite the fact we now know every detail about Picasso's life.'..."
The Lemming doesn't know enough about Picasso's life to have an opinion about the artist and the electrician. On the other hand, I don't think it's impossible that Pablo Picasso might have known someone and not told the family lawyer. I'll leave it at that.
On the 'up' side, it's nice to have so many previously-unknown works by Picasso come to light.
Somewhat-related posts:
- "Picasso: Painting as 'Sum of Destructions' "
(February 6, 2009) - "Think You Can Outpaint Picasso? Here's Your Chance!"
(August 26, 2008)
I'm a little disturbed about the 'every detail' part. They know what kind of toilet paper he used? Can you stalk someone after they've died?
ReplyDeleteBrigid,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm inclined to agree with you. It's possible that the electrician didn't get the artwork through legitimate means.
On the other hand - this wouldn't be the first time that relatives of someone rich and/or famous had a hissy fit when they discovered that the deceased hadn't given everything to them.
As for "stalking" someone after the person is dead - in a sense, that's what historians do. So much depends on motive. ;)