The Hindu : International : Picasso's mistress auctions sketches

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 29, 2005

International

International

Picasso's mistress auctions sketches

PARIS: A former mistress of Pablo Picasso has sold 20 of the artist's sketches of her at a Paris auction, reaping a total of $1.87 million. The works included a pencil-on-paper drawing of a reclining nude that sold for $575,357 — about three times the estimated price.

"I am so happy, because it has been over 50 years that I have had them," said Genevieve Laporte, who had a two-year secret affair with Picasso in the 1950s, when she was in her 20s. The auction was expected to collect no more than $2.4 million.

The Picasso Museum in Paris snapped up the priciest lot — the sensual image of reclining nude entitled `Odalisque.'

Describing the sketch in the sale catalogue, Ms. Laporte recalled how she had fallen asleep just as Picasso was preparing to draw: ``He waited patiently until I opened my eyes to continue his sketch!'' — AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

India will become important to us: Lee

U.N. seat: U.S. boosts hopes of Germany

Religious leaders make joint anti-poverty appeal to Blair

U.S. will not interfere in Bangladesh affairs: Burns

Russian n-offer to Iran

$450-million grant to tackle health problems

"Corruption in French literary world"

Site for fusion reactor

Shia legislator killed in blast

U.S. opposes needle exchange plan

Rain-making experiment

Picasso's mistress auctions sketches

"Peace process with Pakistan not entrenched"

"India can be an excellent base for U.S. defence industry"

Military relations with India excellent, says Rumsfeld