Stolen Picasso painting discovered near Paris: One of the world’s most famous artists’ painting just reappeared in a surprising police operation near Paris
According to the report, French police recently searched a house in Champigny-sur-Marne, near Paris, while investigating suspected drug trafficking. Inside, officers discovered tons of cash, marijuana, designer clothing and a stolen painting by legendary Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, Smithsonian Magazine reports.
Authorities have not made the artwork public, but police have confirmed that the work has been authenticated and could be worth tens of millions of euros. According to the information obtained, the house belongs to the aunt of the suspected drug dealer.
Police Raid Reveals Missing Picasso
The discovery was made during a raid last week as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking.
While officers expected to find evidence of criminal activity, they also uncovered a previously stolen Picasso painting. The exact name of the artwork has not been disclosed, but reports indicate that it depicts Marie-Thérèse Walter, one of Picasso’s most famous muses, according to a report by Smithsonian Magazine.
Who Was Marie-Thérèse Walter?
Marie-Thérèse Walter played an important role in Pablo Picasso’s artistic life.
Picasso met Walter on the streets of Paris in 1927, when he was still a teenager and Walter was 45 years old. According to Walter’s own recollections, Picasso invited him to his studio shortly after they met, and he eventually became both his muse and lover, while he was married to ballerina Olga Khokhlova, Smithsonian Magazine reported. Walter inspired some of Picasso’s most famous works in the 1930s, including Femme à la montre, The Dream (Le Rêve) and Nude in a Black Armchair (Nu au fauteuil noir).
How Did the Painting End Up at Home?
4 people were detained within the scope of the investigation regarding drug trafficking.
According to court testimony, a suspect admitted to stealing the painting from a Paris warehouse where he worked as a security guard, according to a Smithsonian Magazine report.
Police reportedly described the theft as “opportunistic” and suggested it “occurred frequently in such situations, the gang had no idea what to do with it,” as quoted in the report.
FAQ
What did the French police find during the raid?
Police found money, marijuana, designer clothes and a stolen Picasso painting.
Where was the raid carried out?
According to Smithsonian Magazine, the raid took place in Champigny-sur-Marne, outside Paris.
