Picasso painting vanishes en route to exhibition in Spain

Spanish National Police are investigating the disappearance of Pablo Picasso's "Still Life with Guitar," valued at €600,000, which vanished while being transported from Madrid to Granada for an exhibition at the CajaGranada Cultural Centereadaily+2.
The small 1919 painting, measuring 12.7 by 9.8 centimeters, was one of 58 artworks being transported, but when staff unpacked the shipment on October 6, only the Picasso piece was missing while all other 57 works arrived safelyeadaily+1.
The transport van left Madrid on October 2 and made an unexplained overnight stop 27 kilometers from Granada, where two employees took turns guarding the cargo, before arriving at the cultural center on October 3eadaily.
Investigators are focusing on potential violations during transportation and are working to determine exactly when the painting disappeared, though no arrests have been made and the exhibition opened without the key Picasso workeadaily+2.
Picasso's works are frequently targeted by thieves due to their high value, with two of his paintings selling for over $140 million each at recent auctions, making him one of the most stolen artists in historyjamaicaobserver+2.

Spanish National Police are investigating the mysterious disappearance of Pablo Picasso's "Still Life with Guitar," which vanished while being transported from Madrid to Granada for an exhibition, authorities confirmed Thursday.eadaily+2

The 1919 oil painting, valued at €600,000 ($700,000), was scheduled to be displayed at the exhibition "Still Life. Eternity of inertia" at the CajaGranada Cultural Center but never arrived at its destination. The small work, measuring just 12.7 by 9.8 centimeters, was part of a consignment of 57 artworks from private collections.jamaicaobserver+4

Missing Masterpiece Discovered During Unpacking

The painting disappeared during a 400-kilometer journey that began October 2 when the transport van left Madrid. According to the CajaGranada Foundation, the van arrived at the cultural center on October 3 and all works were moved to a secure room under video surveillance. However, when staff began unpacking the artworks on Monday, October 6, they discovered the Picasso was missing.lnginnorthernbc+2

"The picture seemed to dissolve between Madrid and Granada. All other 57 works arrived safely. Only Picasso has disappeared," a source at the CajaGranada Foundation told reporters.eadaily

The foundation explained that not all packages were properly numbered upon arrival, making it impossible to conduct a thorough inspection without unpacking. Staff signed the delivery receipt pending the Monday unpacking, when the absence was discovered.ara+1

Investigation Focuses on Transport Route

Police are investigating potential violations during transportation, including an overnight stop the van made 27 kilometers from Granada. According to authorities, two transport company employees took turns guarding the cargo during the overnight stay. No arrests have been made, and investigators are working to determine the exact point when the painting disappeared.lnginnorthernbc+2

The exhibition opened as scheduled on October 9 but without its star attraction. The missing painting's anonymous owner had purchased it several years ago for €60,000, with its current insurance value reaching €600,000.eadaily+1

Picasso works frequently attract thieves due to their extraordinary value – two of his paintings have sold for more than $140 million each at recent auctions. The most notorious theft occurred in 1976 when more than 100 Picasso works were stolen from the Palais des Papes museum in France, though all were eventually recovered.rte+3

Sources (29)