A record-breaking moment for Art in Dubai
Picasso Art in Dubai: In an epic moment for the Middle East’s art scene, Picasso’s monumental 1932 Portrait of Marie-Thérèse Walter is making its way to Dubai, creating a new record as the highest-value painting ever to grace the Middle East through an auction house. With an astounding estimated worth surpassing $120 million, this masterpiece will be unveiled at Sotheby’s Dubai, located within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), on September 25 and 26.
Katia Nounou Boueiz, Head of Sotheby’s UAE, expresses the profound significance of this event, stating, “It is a true privilege to have a masterpiece of this significance, by one of the world’s most well-known and well-loved artists, unveiled in the UAE as the first stop on its world tour. “One of the greatest works of modern art we have ever brought to auction, it is the perfect artwork to showcase and continue our commitment to bringing the best of art and culture to the region.”
Sotheby’s ongoing commitment to the Middle East
This isn’t the first time that Sotheby’s has introduced high-value art to the Middle East. Boueiz reflects on their previous achievements, saying, “In 2020, we exhibited a painting by Botticelli, which was estimated in excess of $80 million and at the time made headlines as the highest value painting ever to be brought to the Middle East by an auction house. Since then, we have exhibited some wonderful works by the likes of Boetti, Kandinsky, Warhol, and more. The appearance of this Picasso on our walls in Dubai will now overtake the record set by the Botticelli piece and also marks the first time a painting of this caliber by the artist has ever been exhibited anywhere in the UAE.”
Emily Fisher Landau’s cherished acquisition
The celebrated Picasso portrait, showcased this month in Dubai, originates from the esteemed collection of the patron of the arts, Emily Fisher Landau, where it adorned her living room for more than half a century. It holds the distinction of being one of her initial acquisitions in 1968, marking the commencement of her remarkable journey as an art collector.
Picasso’s masterpiece: A definitive work in the story of western art
“One of Emily Fisher Landau’s first major purchases, Picasso’s Femme à la Montre is a masterpiece by every measure. Painted in 1932 – Picasso’s ‘annus mirabilis’ – it is full of joyful, passionate abandon yet at the same time, it is utterly considered and resolved. Its bold primary colors literally sing from the five-foot-tall canvas. The Emily Fisher Landau Picasso is not just a stand-out work from a stand-out year; it is a definitive work in the story of Western art.” said Julian Dawes, Sotheby’s Head of Impressionist & Modern Art, America.
Marie-Thérèse Walter: the golden muse
Marie-Thérèse Walter, known as Picasso’s ‘golden muse,’ adds a layer of intrigue to this remarkable portrait. What sets it apart, beyond the captivating subject, is its sheer size, scale, and vibrant execution. This iconic artwork is scheduled to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York on November 8 and 9, promising to be a focal point of the global art market.
In summary, Picasso’s monumental 1932 Portrait of Marie-Thérèse Walter is poised to make history in Dubai, breaking records and captivating art enthusiasts worldwide. Its journey from Emily Fisher Landau’s collection to the Middle East is a testament to the enduring allure of Picasso’s art, and its upcoming auction in New York is a momentous occasion that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the world of art.
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