Picasso's Hidden Masterpiece of Muse Dora Maar Sells for $37M

On October 25, 2025, a Picasso portrait of his longtime muse and partner Dora Maar was auctioned off at the Drouot auction house in Paris for a staggering $37 million. The painting, titled "Bust of a Woman with a Flowered Hat (Dora Maar)," had remained hidden from the public eye for more than eight decades since its creation in 1943.

The vivid, colorful work depicts Maar, an artist and photographer herself, in a brightly hued floral hat. Maar had been Picasso's muse and partner for about seven years, but their relationship was nearing a painful end at the time the portrait was painted. The work was purchased in 1944 and had not been on the market since, remaining in the family collection until its recent auction.

Auctioneer Christophe Lucien called the sale "an enormous success" and the highest price paid for any artwork in France so far this year. He described the painting as a "little piece of the story of love" between Picasso and Maar, albeit a bittersweet one, as the artist would soon leave her for a younger woman. Despite not reaching the record-breaking prices of some of Picasso's most famous works, the portrait's sale still managed to surpass expectations, showcasing the enduring appeal and value of the Spanish master's artistic legacy.