After more than eight decades hidden from public view, a vibrant Picasso portrait of his muse Dora Maar has stunned the art world, selling for an astonishing 32 million euros (about $37 million) at a Paris auction on October 24, 2025. The painting, entitled Bust of a Woman with a Flowered Hat (Dora Maar), was painted in July 1943 at a time of both creative intensity and personal turmoil for the Spanish master and his partner. The sale, held at the Drouot auction house, marks the highest art transaction in France this year and has become a defining moment for collectors and art lovers worldwide.
The story behind this remarkable work is as compelling as the painting itself. Acquired by a French family in August 1944, just a year after its creation, the portrait remained in their private collection, never exhibited publicly and only known through a single black-and-white photograph taken in 1944. For generations, the painting was a well-kept secret, its existence all but forgotten outside a small circle. The heirs of the original buyer, unable to physically divide the work among themselves, ultimately decided to bring it to auction, setting the stage for its dramatic reemergence.
When the painting finally appeared at Drouot, the anticipation was palpable. Auctioneer Christophe Lucien described the sale as "an enormous success," telling The Associated Press that, "It’s a little piece of the story of love." He highlighted the bittersweet inspiration behind the portrait—Picasso’s stormy relationship with Dora Maar, which was unraveling as the painting was created. Lucien remarked, "It’s without a doubt the most moving work of Picasso that involved his muse, because he was about to leave her for (French painter) Françoise Gilot. And through this portrait, we see a woman who holds back her tears. So it’s lucky for an auctioneer to have a piece of art history before their own eyes."
The final sale price, 32,012,397 euros after fees, far exceeded the reserve price of 8 million euros (about $9.5 million) and the hammer price of 27 million euros. According to Reuters, the buyer was a foreign bidder present in the auction room, though their identity remains undisclosed. The sale not only set a new benchmark for the French art market in 2025 but also drew attention from collectors across the United States, Asia, and Europe, underscoring the global appeal of Picasso’s legacy.
Art expert Agnes Sevestre-Barbé, who previewed the painting earlier in the week, was struck by its exceptional preservation. "We have a painting that is exactly as it was when it left the studio. It wasn’t varnished, which means we have all its raw material, all of it. It’s a painting where you can feel all the colors, the entire chromatic range," she told The Associated Press. Sevestre-Barbé added, "It’s a painting that speaks for itself. You just have to look at it — it’s full of expression, and you can see all of Picasso’s genius." She emphasized the shock of seeing the work in color for the first time: "We couldn’t imagine from this photo that this painting was so colorful, so amazing, really."
The portrait itself is a riot of vivid hues and thick, black lines, capturing Dora Maar in a flowered hat with an expression that reflects both the intensity of her bond with Picasso and the sorrow of their impending separation. Maar, a talented artist and photographer in her own right, was a central figure in Picasso’s life during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Their relationship, passionate and often tumultuous, inspired some of Picasso’s most emotionally charged works, particularly his wartime depictions of women.
The painting belongs to Picasso’s celebrated "Woman in a Hat" series, a collection of portraits that showcase his fascination with the female form and psyche. According to France24, this particular work was painted on July 11, 1943, during a period marked by both personal upheaval and artistic innovation. The rediscovery of such a piece, especially in pristine condition, has been hailed by the Drouot auction house as "a moment of rare significance, revealing for the first time the full radiance of a work long kept secret."
While the 32 million euro price tag is impressive, it is not the highest ever achieved for a Picasso. The current record belongs to Les Femmes d’Alger (Version O), which sold for $179.4 million in 2015. Another notable sale, Femme à la montre—a portrait of another muse, Marie-Thérèse Walter—fetched $139.4 million in 2023. Still, the sale of the Dora Maar portrait stands out for its rarity, provenance, and the emotional narrative it embodies.
For art market observers, the sale is also significant as a bellwether. As AFP notes, Picasso sales are often viewed as a leading indicator for the broader art market, which has experienced a downturn in recent years. The robust bidding and final price achieved in Paris suggest that demand for blue-chip masterpieces remains strong, even in uncertain economic times. The rediscovery of a previously unknown Picasso, especially one with such a storied backstory, has reinvigorated interest and optimism among collectors and dealers alike.
The painting’s journey—from private obscurity to public acclaim—has also sparked broader conversations about the fate of artworks held in family collections. As Sevestre-Barbé explained to Reuters, the decision to sell was not taken lightly: "The heirs decided to offer the painting for sale as it could not be physically divided among them." This practical consideration ultimately gave the world a chance to witness a masterpiece that had long been hidden away.
As the dust settles on this historic sale, the art world is left to ponder the enduring power of Picasso’s vision and the complex human stories woven into his canvases. The reemergence of Bust of a Woman with a Flowered Hat (Dora Maar) is more than just a market event; it is a poignant reminder of art’s ability to capture, conceal, and finally reveal the passions and sorrows of its creators and subjects alike. As Picasso expert Sevestre-Barbé so aptly put it, "It’s as if time stopped the day it left Picasso’s studio — and today, it finally comes back to life."
With its dazzling colors, storied provenance, and emotional depth, the Dora Maar portrait has reclaimed its place in the public eye—offering a fresh glimpse into one of the 20th century’s most legendary artistic relationships and a vivid testament to the enduring allure of Picasso’s genius.
