Paris, October 30, 2025 — A long-hidden masterpiece by legendary Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, titled Buste de femme au chapeau à fleurs (Dora Maar), has been sold for a remarkable $37 million (€32.01 million) at a recent auction in Paris. The sale took place on October 24th at the renowned Hôtel Drouot under the supervision of the Lucien Paris auction house.
The 1943 portrait, depicting Surrealist artist and Picasso’s muse Dora Maar, had remained unseen by the public for over 80 years. It was part of a private family collection since its acquisition in 1944, only known previously through a single photograph and a black-and-white catalog image.
The artwork belongs to Picasso’s celebrated “Woman in a Hat” series, painted during the difficult years of wartime Paris. Maar, who played a significant role in Picasso’s life and creative journey, was also the inspiration behind his famous “Weeping Woman” series.
Auctioneer Christophe Lucien described the sale as “a rare privilege and a moment of pure grace for any art lover,” while Agnès Sevestre-Barbé, a specialist in Picasso’s work, called the portrait “a true Mona Lisa of the 20th century.”
The bidding war lasted 35 minutes, with around 18 participants from Europe, Asia, and the United States competing for the prized painting. Eventually, an international collector present in the room secured the winning bid.
This sale is now France’s highest auction result of 2025, and the second-highest price ever paid for a Picasso in the country’s history — following Les Noces de Pierrette (1905), which fetched over $51 million in 1989.
The auction marks another major milestone in the global art market, reaffirming the timeless allure and value of Picasso’s creations.
