Missing Picasso painting found in Madrid after mix-up

Spanish police recovered Pablo Picasso's 1919 painting "Still Life with Guitar" on Friday after the €600,000 artwork went missing earlier this month during transport from Madrid to Granada for an exhibitionreuters+2.

The small gouache and pencil work was supposed to be part of a 58-piece shipment to the CajaGranada Foundation, but only 57 works were unloaded when the truck arrived, prompting organizers to file a police complaint on October 10reuters+1.

Investigators determined the painting likely never left its owner's premises in Madrid, with a police spokesperson stating that a woman in the same building mistakenly took the package home instead of allowing the courier to collect itnytimes+1.

The case briefly captivated the small town of Deifontes, where the transport van made an unusual overnight stop despite the four-hour journey, with locals speculating about the mystery before learning the painting never left Madridnytimes+1.

Police registered the privately-owned artwork in Interpol's global database of stolen works and released images of forensic experts examining the recovered piece, with the foundation expressing hope it can still be displayed in their exhibition running until January 11reuters+2.

Spanish police recovered Pablo Picasso's 1919 "Still Life with Guitar" on Friday after a three-week search that began when the €600,000 artwork mysteriously vanished during what should have been a routine transport from Madrid to Granada for an exhibition.reuters+2

The small gouache and graphite work, measuring just 12.7 x 9.8 centimeters, was discovered back in Madrid after investigators determined it likely never made it onto the transport truck in the first place. According to sources close to the case, the painting never left the owner's house, contradicting initial assumptions that it had disappeared during transit.surinenglish+1

Transport Company Under Investigation

The CajaGranada Foundation, organizing the "Still Life: The Eternity of the Inert" exhibition, filed a police complaint on October 10 after discovering the Picasso was missing when 57 other artworks were unpacked. Security footage from the cultural center showed only 57 works being unloaded from the delivery truck instead of the expected 58.reuters+1

The transport company had collected the artwork on October 3, making an unusual overnight stop in Deifontes, a village just 27 kilometers from Granada, despite the journey typically taking only four hours. The two delivery men reportedly took turns watching their van throughout the night before completing the delivery the next morning.thespanisheye+2

Investigation Reveals Logistics Failure

Spain's National Police Historical Heritage Brigade launched an extensive investigation, registering the missing painting in Interpol's international database of stolen artworks, which contains nearly 57,000 items. Police released images on Friday showing forensic experts in full sterile suits examining the recovered package.reuters+2

"Initial investigations suggest that the painting may not have been loaded onto the transport truck," the National Police stated. The foundation acknowledged that improper package numbering made thorough verification impossible without unpacking all items.ndtv+3

The painting, owned by an unnamed private collector, was originally purchased for €60,000 several years ago but is now insured for €600,000. The foundation expressed hope that "Still Life with Guitar" can still be displayed as part of their exhibition, which runs until January 11.english.elpais+2

Sources (22)