Three portraits of Picasso are the most expensive works sold yesterday by Christie's, the well-known auction house in London, for a value of 48 million euros. The paintings depict three lovers by the Spanish artist and were sold first, opening a series of sales that will continue over the next few weeks.
The highest price was 20,2 million, for “Femme assise, robe bleue” (1939). The work portrays Dora Maar, who succeeded her previous mistress Marie-Thérèse Walter. Its value has exceeded all estimates: since 1967 it had not been exhibited to the public and was valued at a maximum of 9 million euros.
As for Marie-Thérèse Walter, the “jeune fille endormie”, it was sold for 15,5 million euros, the second highest price. Estimates gave it a value of around 10 million euros. It had been given to the University of Sydney by a mysterious American donor on the condition that the proceeds from its sale be used for scientific research. "It is a jewel of painting that has not been seen for over 60 years, because it was hidden in a private collection," said Giovanna Bertazzoni, head of the "impressionism and modern art" department at Christie's. And to think that the most expensive work of art in the world ever sold at auction is another portrait of Marie-Thérèse herself, "Nu au plateau de sculpteur", sold last year at Christie's in New York for 76 million of Euro.
The last painting, “Buste de Françoise” (1946), was sold for 11,9 million euros. It depicts Françoise Gilot, who dated the artist from the 40s and had two children by him.
