The Mysterious Disappearance and Recovery of Picasso's 'Still Life with Guitar'

In a tale that highlights both the intrigue and the chaos that can accompany art exhibitions, the small Picasso painting, 'Still Life with Guitar', became the focal point of a police investigation after it seemingly vanished during transit from Madrid to Granada earlier this month. On October 3, the gouache and pencil masterpiece, created in 1919, was supposed to be part of an exhibition at the CajaGranada Foundation. Valued at approximately €600,000, or $525,000, it was anticipated to be one of the highlights of the 'Still Life: The Eternity of the Inert' exhibition. However, as the artwork failed to arrive with a delivered shipment, officers from Spain's Policía Nacional were called upon to investigate the missing piece, prompting a flurry of speculation regarding its fate. The investigation revealed that while some of the artworks were packaged with care, they were not numbered correctly, thwarting a thorough verification process. Once the delivery was signed off, the van and its crew continued on without any suspicions. Following the arrival of the shipment, which had been under video surveillance throughout the weekend, the CajaGranada personnel began unpacking the exhibits. It was during this process that the curator and head of exhibitions noted the absence of the Picasso work, leading to the urgent notification of authorities. A week of uncertainty gave way to clarity when, on a subsequent Friday, the Policía Nacional announced that 'Still Life with Guitar' had been recovered, albeit under perplexing circumstances. In a statement, the police indicated that it may never have left the original pickup point, a statement that leaves many unanswered questions. The Historic Heritage Unit is continuing its investigation while forensic teams have begun examining the package that contained the artwork. Despite this hiccup, the CajaGranada Foundation still aims to showcase 'Still Life with Guitar' as planned in their upcoming exhibition. The art world is no stranger to instances of theft, particularly when it comes to the legacy of Pablo Picasso. His works have long been coveted, making them prime targets for thieves across the globe. Notable examples of such notorious heists include the theft of two Picasso paintings valued at over $50 million from the home of the artist's granddaughter in February 2007, a sketchbook worth more than $8 million stolen two years later from a museum dedicated to his art, and the disappearance of multiple paintings from his family members and various galleries over the years. As the story of 'Still Life with Guitar' unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks associated with transporting valuable artworks, as well as the ongoing vigilance required in the preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2