An exciting revelation has emerged as a neglected painting, tucked away in the basement of a dealer’s house, has been identified as an authentic Picasso worth over £5 million. Luigi Lo Rosso unintentionally discovered the painting, believed to have been created between 1930 and 1936, in the cellar of his home in Capri, Italy, back in 1962. Despite relocating to Pompeii, Luigi remained oblivious to its potential value, opting to display it in his living room, much to his wife’s dismay.
Years later, Luigi’s son Andrea, made an intriguing observation while browsing an art history book – he noticed a striking resemblance between the signature on the canvas and that of Picasso’s. Andrea’s curiosity led to a deeper investigation, eventually leading to the realisation that the painting might indeed be an original Picasso. The artwork is thought to depict Dora Maar, Picasso’s lover and muse during a turbulent affair from 1935 to 1945.
Andrea commented on his father’s lack of awareness regarding the masterpiece, stating, “My father was from Capri and would collect junk to sell for next to nothing. He found the painting before I was even born and didn’t have a clue who Picasso was. He wasn’t a very cultured person.” Despite his mother’s strong aversion to the painting, describing it as “horrible,” Andrea persisted in his belief of its potential significance.
Andrea eventually confirmed that the signature on the painting matched Picasso’s, prompting him to reach out to the Picasso Foundation in Malaga, Spain, for authentication. The painting is currently securely stored in a Milan vault awaiting confirmation from experts. Andrea expressed, “I am curious to know what they say. We were just a normal family, and the aim has always been to establish the truth. We’re not interested in making money out of it.”
The discovery of this long-lost Picasso hidden in plain sight for decades has sparked intrigue and excitement within the art community. It serves as a reminder of the hidden treasures that may lie undiscovered in the most unexpected of places.