Junk Dealer’s Discovery Turns Out to Be Original Picasso
A surprising tale from Italy has emerged, where a painting discovered by a junk dealer in a Capri cellar decades ago is now believed to be an original Picasso. Experts are backing the claim after years of doubt, and what was once dismissed as an "ugly" portrait hanging in a cheap frame could now be worth millions.
The painting was found in 1962 by Luigi Lo Rosso, a junk dealer from Pompeii, while he was cleaning out a cellar. He brought the rolled-up canvas home, completely unaware of its possible value or creator. The piece hung unnoticed for years on the wall of his living room. Little did his family know they were living alongside a work of art that could be worth €6 million.
The portrait in question, now believed to depict Dora Maar, Picasso’s muse and lover, carries the signature of the famous artist in the top left-hand corner. But Lo Rosso, unfamiliar with the world of art, never gave it much thought. It was only after years of looking at the painting that Lo Rosso's son, Andrea, began to suspect that the artwork might be more than it seemed. His curiosity was piqued after studying an encyclopedia of art history gifted to him by an aunt.
Driven by curiosity, the family sought expert help, leading to an investigation led by renowned art detective Maurizio Seracini. After years of examination, including an intricate study of Picasso’s signature by graphologist Cinzia Altieri, the painting has been authenticated as a genuine work by Picasso.
The painting has since been secured in a vault in Milan, but questions remain. The piece bears a resemblance to Picasso’s Buste de Femme (Dora Maar), which was stolen from a yacht in 1999 and found 20 years later. Some experts, such as Luca Marcante from the Arcadia Foundation, believe Picasso may have painted two versions of this portrait at different times, making both pieces authentic.
For years, the Lo Rosso family had little interest in profiting from the work and was more concerned with uncovering the truth behind the mysterious painting. Despite numerous attempts to engage the Picasso Foundation, which holds the final authority on authentication, the family’s claims went unacknowledged.
While the ultimate decision on its authenticity rests with the Picasso Foundation in Málaga, this incredible story of a hidden masterpiece is a testament to how some of the world’s greatest treasures can emerge from the most unexpected places.
Art collectors and enthusiasts are now eagerly awaiting the final verdict on this remarkable discovery. If proven to be authentic, the portrait, once scorned as an eyesore by its owners, will become one of the most fascinating stories in modern art history.