Art is often full of surprises. Pieces that hang in museums and private collections alike tell stories of creativity, passion, and sometimes controversy. But occasionally, even the most famous artists have works that slip through the cracks, only to resurface in the most unexpected of places. This is the case with the remarkable discovery of a Picasso painting, found in an unassuming cellar in Capri by a junk dealer, Luigi Lo Rosso, in 1962. Little did he know that this artwork, which hung in his living room for decades, would later be valued at an astonishing £5 million (Rs 55 crores) and be authenticated as an original Picasso.
A Hidden Treasure in a Capri Cellar
The story begins in the early 1960s when Luigi Lo Rosso, a Capri-born junk dealer, stumbled upon a painting in a cellar during his rounds. Capri, a beautiful island located off the coast of Italy, is known more for its breathtaking landscapes and luxury resorts than for hidden works of fine art. Yet, for Luigi, this painting was just another item to add to his collection. At the time, he had no idea who Picasso was, let alone the potential value of the artwork he had found.
Lo Rosso brought the painting back to his home in Pompeii and hung it in his living room. His wife, however, was less than impressed, finding the distorted features of the painting repulsive. She even urged the family to dispose of it multiple times. Still, the artwork remained in their possession, untouched and unappreciated for years.
The Persistent Curiosity of Andrea Lo Rosso
While Luigi may not have recognized the value of the painting, his son Andrea did. Over the years, Andrea, now in his 60s, developed a keen interest in art history. He had a feeling that the mysterious painting that hung in his home could be the work of a renowned artist. The distinct style and signature in the top left corner reminded him of works by Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. His father, however, was skeptical.
Andrea's curiosity grew stronger as he studied the painting. Despite his mother's disdain for the artwork, Andrea began researching Picasso and his unique style. Finally, in his pursuit of the truth, he turned to a team of experts to help him confirm the origins of the mysterious painting.
The Road to Authentication
Authenticating a work of art by an iconic figure like Picasso is no easy task. It requires a meticulous process of examination, involving a range of specialists from different fields. In this case, Andrea Lo Rosso sought the expertise of art detective Maurizio Seracini and graphologist Cinzia Altieri. Seracini, a well-known art detective, is famed for using scientific methods to investigate the authenticity of artworks.
Cinzia Altieri, a graphologist and member of the Arcadia Foundation's scientific committee, played a key role in analyzing the signature on the painting. She spent months comparing the signature to other known examples of Picasso's handwriting. After an exhaustive investigation, she concluded that the signature was indeed authentic. According to Altieri, the distorted style of the painting matched Picasso's well-known cubist technique, a revolutionary movement in art that Picasso helped to define.
"After all the other examinations of the painting were done, I was given the job of studying the signature. I spent months working on it and contrasting it with some of his original creations. In an interview with The Guardian, Altieri stated, "There is no question that the signature is his." Andrea felt vindicated by this proof, since she had long assumed that the picture was unique.
A Portrait of Dora Maar
Experts now believe that the painting is a portrait of Dora Maar, a French photographer and painter who was Picasso's lover and muse during the 1930s. Dora Maar was a significant figure in Picasso's life, inspiring many of his works, particularly those that feature distorted and abstract forms. Picasso often portrayed Maar with striking, exaggerated features, which are characteristic of his cubist style.
Maar was not only Picasso’s muse but also a talented artist in her own right, and their relationship was as tumultuous as it was artistically productive. The portrait discovered by Lo Rosso is believed to have been painted between 1930 and 1936, a period when Picasso was deeply involved in cubism and surrealism, and when his relationship with Maar was at its peak.
Overcoming Skepticism
While experts like Altieri and Seracini have confirmed the authenticity of the painting, Andrea's journey to validate his father's discovery was not without challenges. The Picasso Foundation in Málaga, which oversees the authentication of Picasso's works, initially dismissed Andrea's claims as false. Despite this setback, Andrea remained determined to prove the painting's origins. His persistence, along with the backing of expert opinions, has now placed the painting in a prominent position.
Interestingly, Picasso was known to have visited Capri several times during his lifetime, adding a layer of credibility to the idea that one of his paintings could have ended up in a cellar on the island. It’s a reminder that even in the world of high art, surprises can still emerge from the most unexpected places.
The Value of an Untold Story
The painting, now safely stored in a Milan vault, is valued at £5 million and awaits official recognition from the Picasso Foundation. Its discovery raises important questions about how many other unknown masterpieces might be hidden away, forgotten in attics, basements, or cellars, simply waiting for someone to recognize their significance.
Picasso was one of the most prolific artists in history, producing over 14,000 works during his lifetime. His creations spanned various styles, from realism to abstract art, often challenging traditional artistic norms. As a result, it is not entirely surprising that new works occasionally come to light, even decades after his death.
The story of Luigi Lo Rosso’s discovery and Andrea’s quest for validation is not just a story about art—it’s a story about the power of persistence, curiosity, and the importance of family history. For years, this painting hung unnoticed in a humble home in Pompeii, seen by the family as little more than an oddity. Today, it stands as a reminder that even the most extraordinary discoveries can happen in the most ordinary of places.
Who knows how many other masterpieces are waiting to be found? In the world of art, it seems that the next great discovery could be just around the corner.