Police found Picasso – ElTiempo.com

Italian police have recovered a work of Picasso who was allegedly stolen, valued at 15 million euros and was “about to be exported” the country, said a source from the Ministry of
Italian Culture.

This is a medium size fabric and dated in 1912, corresponding to “Cubist period” of Spanish artist and found section of the Carabinieri Cultural Property added the source.

The work recovered is ‘Violin et bouteille de bass’, with dimensions of 54 by 45 inches. General Mariano Mossa, who presented to the press in Rome the box, said he has “an exceptional artistic relevance.”

He added that in 1978 belonged to a private collector, a Roman retired of the police authorities did not give their personal data.

Italian officials said the work had been presented by this retired at Sotheby’s, where he requested permission for export in official dependence in Venice, with a valuation of 1.4 million euros.

This detail aroused the suspicions of the Italian police, who began investigating the origin of the work, Zervos contained in the catalog in 1961.

Mossa told Spanish media that “the owner is not identified” and that agents work to “verify the legitimacy owner and movements of the work. “

So far, they found out that history goes back to 1978 when” a framer of Rome repaired a frame of the photograph of the deceased wife of an elder ” who was obliged to give away the framer “and gave this fabric, but not told it was a Picasso.”

“The framers had for 36 years this fabric and “.

Mossa continued:” One day, looking catalogs Picasso, the framer saw a certain similarity to the art of Picasso and began to question “and that was when he was introduced to the Sotheby’s house and blew the alarm.

The Agents then verified the authenticity of the work, that the framers wanted to sell for 1.4 million euros, after stating that it was the current owner and ask permission for the free movement and be able to export it.

“It is absolutely sure is a Picasso,” said Mossa, who explained that the picture is “under sequestration” to verify the legitimacy of the man who claims to be the owner.

The Minister of Cultural Property, Dario Franceschini, told reporters that “it is necessary to wait for the investigation to know who it belongs” and thereafter, decide the fate of the work.

EFE

ROMA