A Junk Dealer's Basements Discovery Could Turn Out to Be a Priceless Picasso!

A painting that has languished for decades in the basement of an Italian villa has been identified by experts as an original work by none other than Pablo Picasso. This astonishing revelation may mean the artwork could fetch millions once it hits the auction block!

The story begins with Luigi Lo Rosso, a junk dealer who scoured abandoned properties and landfills in search of hidden treasures for his family’s pawn shop in Pompeii, Italy. In 1962, while rummaging through the dusty confines of a villa on the idyllic island of Capri, he stumbled upon a rolled-up canvas. What he unrolled revealed a strikingly asymmetrical portrayal of a woman, although at the time, he likely didn’t realize he was gazing at a potential goldmine.

Art experts, including Luca Gentile Canal Marcante, have suggested that this painting depicts Dora Maar, Picasso's muse and lover. Marcante, who is an art specialist and honorary president of the Swiss-based Arcadia Foundation, describes the painting's composition as emblematic of Picasso’s characteristic style—the woman dons a blue dress and bears notable red lipstick.

At just 24 years old, Luigi, not fully grasping the gravitas of the "Picasso" signature scrawled in the upper left corner, framed the artwork cheaply and gifted it to his wife. To her dismay, she regarded it unworthy of sale and hung it in their home, later relocating it to their restaurant. It took nearly 50 years before its true value came to light.

“Andrea Lo Rosso, the couple's son, recounts that his mother casually dubbed it 'the scribble' due to the painting’s peculiar features," emphasizing how little they understood its significance back then. As a child in the 1980s, Andrea stumbled upon Picasso's portrait of Dora Maar in an art history textbook and realized that it might be worth exploring the provenance of their family’s artwork.

This revelation launched the Lo Rosso family on a complicated journey toward authentication. Despite reaching out to various art historians—many of whom doubted its originality yet wanted to purchase it—the family sensing there was something special, decided to register the painting with Italy's patrimony police. Initially, concerns arose about whether it might be stolen, but they were ultimately allowed to retain it until authentication could be confirmed.

After years of uncertainty, in September 2023, the painting was finally validated by Cinzia Altieri, a Milan-based graphologist who meticulously analyzed the signature, comparing it with other Picasso signatures and conducting forensic tests. In her findings, she confirmed the signature as authentic: “There is no doubt that the signature is his,” she stated, quelling any lingering skepticism regarding its originality.

Experts agree—once the piece is certified by the Picasso Foundation in Paris, its value could skyrocket from an estimated €6 million ($6.6 million) to potentially more than double. “I’m happy but let’s wait to toast,” Andrea quipped. “There is still one step to take before we consider this incredible story over.”

The Lo Rosso family intends to auction the painting in honor of their father, Luigi, who dreamed of seeing it certified and sold. If this jaw-dropping tale has captivated you, stay tuned—this painting’s journey from the shadows of a basement to the bright lights of the auction world is just beginning! It's a testament to perseverance and the hidden gems that life can surprise us with.

As for the Picasso Foundation? CNN has reached out for their thoughts on this remarkable find, and the art world waits with bated breath for their response.