A previously unknown portrait of Dora Maar, Pablo Picasso's influential muse, is set to make a significant appearance at auction in Paris.
Titled "Bust of a Woman With a Flowery Hat," the 1943 oil painting, estimated at eight million euros, has remained in a private collection since 1944, shielded from public view until now. Its emergence marks a notable event in the art world, offering a fresh perspective on Picasso's prolific career and his profound connection with Maar. Dora Maar, a French photographer, painter, and poet, was a pivotal figure in Picasso's life and artistic output, inspiring approximately 60 of his works. Their relationship, which began in 1936, was a period of intense creative exchange, with Maar influencing Picasso's artistic direction and even his political engagement, notably contributing to his anti-war masterpiece, "Guernica." Picasso, in turn, encouraged Maar's return to painting, and by 1940, her passport officially recognized her as both a photographer and painter.
Despite this creative partnership, their nine-year affair was tumultuous, marked by Picasso's infidelities and ultimately leading to Maar's significant emotional distress. Picasso's "The Weeping Woman" series, a powerful exploration of suffering, is perhaps the most famous depiction of Maar, though she herself felt these portraits were not of her, but rather metaphors for the Spanish people's plight during the Civil War. The upcoming auction at Drouot on October 24, 2025, is particularly significant as a Picasso portrait of Dora Maar appearing in France is a rare occurrence.
The art market often views Picasso's sales as a barometer for the broader art market, with his works consistently achieving high values. For instance, "Dora Maar au chat" sold for $95.2 million in 2006, and "Femme dans un fauteuil (Dora Maar)" fetched $25.5 million in 2018, demonstrating the enduring demand for works featuring his muses. The current owners are selling the painting as part of an inheritance settlement, adding another layer of history to this rediscovered artwork.
This newly surfaced portrait, painted in 1943, captures Maar with a melancholy yet harmonious expression, adorned with a vibrant, flowery hat. Interestingly, this period was marked by Picasso's growing distance from Maar as he began a relationship with Françoise Gilot. The painting's cheerful colors are noted as surprising for 1943, a year often associated with darker works from Picasso. The unveiling of "Bust of a Woman With a Flowery Hat" not only adds a significant piece to Picasso's oeuvre but also serves as a poignant reminder of Dora Maar's own artistic contributions and the complex dynamics of their influential relationship.