A Picasso painting of a beloved muse is the highlight of Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art Auction in London next month.
The 1932 expression of Picasso’s love for his young mistress, Marie-Therese Walter, captures his romantic obsession with her. She is seen sleeping nude in an armchair, her head thrown back and an open book in her lap. It is expected to fetch $19-29 million.
Picasso first encountered Marie-Therese in 1927 when she was aged just 17 and was coming out of the Paris Metro on her way back from a shopping trip. Marie-Therese later said he took her by the arm and said: “I am Picasso. You and I are going to do great things together.”
Still married to his first wife, Olga Khokhlova, Picasso soon began an illicit affair with Marie-Therese, who later gave birth to their daughter, Maya or Maria de la Concepcion.
“In the early 1930s he was very lyrically in love and reflected that in these gorgeous colours and lovely compositions,” said Philip Hook, Director of the Impressionist and Modern Picture Department at Sotheby’s in London. “This period is just about the most desirable of all Picasso’s (periods), certainly in market terms.”
The painting, titled La Lecture (Reading) has just gone on show in Paris – its first public outing in 80 years.
(Source: reuters)