A masterpiece by renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso was sold for a whopping $139.3 million on Wednesday at a New York auction held by fine art auctioneer Sotheby's. Known as "Femme à la Montre," the oil painting is this year's most expensive art sold at auction and was $19 million over the previously estimated auction price.
An anonymous buyer purchased it. The Picasso piece was originally part of Emily Fisher Landau's art collection, considered the "crown jewel" of her whole estate, and was previously hung over the mantlepiece in her house. Other artworks from Landau's collection were also sold in the auction.
However, the painting only ranks second in terms of the most expensive Picasso piece sold, with the top rank belonging to "Les femmes d'Alger," or "Women of Algiers," as it sold for more than $179 million in a 2015 Christie's auction.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Pablo Picasso’s Femme à la montre, from 1932, the artist’s ‘golden year’ goes on view at Sotheby's on October 06, 2023 in London, England. The painting is on view to the public in London until 11 October at Sotheby’s. Estimated to realise in excess of $120m when it is offered at auction in New York this November, the work is one of the most valuable paintings ever to come to the market.
A Painting of Pablo Picasso's 'Golden Muse'
The "Femme à la Montre, or "Woman with a Watch," created in 1932, depicts French model Marie-Thérèse Walter, who reportedly had a secret relationship with Pablo Picasso. They met in 1927 when Walter was only 17, and the cubist artist was 47 then. He was married to ballet dancer Olga Khokhlova at the time.
According to Sotheby's, the painting was Picasso's first public display of affection for his "secret muse." It was also famous for how Picasso depicted Walter wearing his watch, which was considered an honor because his watches were beloved.
Picasso also only painted his watches in three of his major works. The significance of the timepiece also relates to the secret lovers' act of biding time while awaiting an end to the Spanish painter's then-marriage.
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