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Missing Picasso Found in Iraq?! Probably Not.

The Naked Woman likely not missing, nor a Picasso, say experts

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 27, 2009 3:45 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Iraqi security forces have secured a purported Pablo Picasso painting believed stolen from a Kuwaiti museum during the 1990 invasion, the Times of London reports. Only it’s probably not a Picasso. “It bears absolutely no relation to any Picasso that I can think of,” says one expert. Iraqi forces obtained the painting when they pulled off a sting on the son of a Shia man who had fought in the war and was trying to sell it for at least a “down payment” of $450,000.

No museums or authorities have a record of The Naked Woman going missing—or of anything being missing from the Kuwait National Museum, for that matter. Whatever it is, the “painting was slightly damaged as he had folded it at least four times,” a security official says. It bears the mark “Picasso,” and on its reverse has a note reading “the Louvre; to the museum of kuwait.” The Louvre has never owned a Picasso.

A painting believed to be The Naked Woman by Pablo Picasso is seen after Special forces recovered the stolen work in a raid in Hillah.
A painting believed to be "The Naked Woman" by Pablo Picasso is seen after Special forces recovered the stolen work in a raid in Hillah.   (AP Photo)
Markings are seen on the back of a painting believed to be The Naked Woman by Pablo Picasso.
Markings are seen on the back of a painting believed to be "The Naked Woman" by Pablo Picasso.   (AP Photo)
Visitors watch works by Spanish Artist Pablo Picasso at Paris' Picasso Mueseum.
Visitors watch works by Spanish Artist Pablo Picasso at Paris' Picasso Mueseum.   (AP Photo)
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Picasso did all kinds of funny things when he was a child but they don’t look like this. In his youth he did paint a number of academic nudes but they are completely different in character and style. - John Richardson

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Michael_CT
Aug 28, 2009 7:31 AM CDT
WELL SPOTTED! damn - 10 points for you!
Michael_CT
Aug 28, 2009 7:24 AM CDT
The Lourve has never owned a PIcasso - how interesting! Thanks Newser!
SalParadise
Aug 27, 2009 10:37 AM CDT
I was going to say this looked nothing like any Picasso I'd ever seen when I read the first story, but I didn't want to seem like an idiot. Vindication is sweet.

 
Iraq • Saddam Hussein • art museum • war • Kuwait • The Louvre • Pablo Picasso • art heist • forgery • invasion

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