Picasso's 'Golden muse' painting, estimated worth up to US$45 million, unveiled in Hong Kong
Follow UsA portrait of Pablo Picasso's 'Golden Muse' Marie-Therese debuted in Hong Kong on Friday (May 25) ahead of the Sotheby's Summer Season in London.
The painting, unveiled in public for the first time in 20 years, is estimated to be worth as much as $45 million.
It was painted in 1932, known as Picasso's "Year of Wonder", when he is said to have been inspired by women including Marie-Therese and Dora Maar, according to August Uribe, Sotheby's Vice Chairman of Americas.
The painting was exhibited alongside a selection of Dutch and Flemish masterpieces in Hong Kong, before heading to London for the sale on June 19.
Classic masterpiece paintings are popular in the Asian market especially with mainland Chinese and Taiwan buyers, according to Sotheby's Head of Auction Sales for Old Masters Andrew Fletcher.
The depiction of Marie-Thérèse has matured from the voluptuous curves and sleepy, passive suggestiveness to the woman who gave birth to Picasso’s child.
The portrait suggests that she continued to be of central importance to the artist.