Cologne [Germany], June 6: Pablo Picasso's painting "Buste de femme" (Bust of a Woman), which he created two years before his death in 1971, is due to be auctioned in the German city of Cologne on Monday for an estimated $1.6 million to $2.7 million.
It is the first time in at least 25 years that a major painting by the Spanish artist is being auctioned in Germany, according to the auction house Van Ham. Art historians recognize in the painting Picasso's second wife, Jacqueline Roque (1927-86), from whose estate it originally came.It now comes from a German private collection with an estimated total value of 10 million euro. It also includes works by Louise Bourgeois, Paul Klee, SigmarPolke, EgonSchiele and Kurt Schwitters.
Picasso, who died 50 years ago, created a total of 400 portraits of Roque, who was 46 years his junior.The former ceramics saleswoman later forbade his children to attend Picasso's funeral service. She died in 1986.
Source: Qatar Tribune