Record-Breaking Auction: Price Soars for Picasso's Iconic Masterpiece

In a stunning auction event, a famous painting by renowned artist Pablo Picasso shattered records, selling for an astounding amount exceeding $139 million. Unveiled to the public as "Femme à la montre," this 1932 oil painting was part of the highly anticipated art collection of Emily Fisher Landau. The masterpiece, depicting Picasso's beloved muse Marie-Thérèse Walter, exceeded expectations by surpassing its estimated price of $120 million. Notably, this sale marks the second-highest amount ever reached for a Picasso creation, following behind his "Les femmes d'Alger" sold for over $179 million in 2015. Marie-Thérèse Walter played a significant role in Picasso's life, serving as his secret companion during a time when he was married to Olga Khokhlova. Picasso's affection for Walter is evident in this captivating artwork, where she adorns his watch as a cherished symbol of honor. Only three of Picasso's major works feature his own timepieces. The esteemed painting, acquired by Fisher Landau in 1968 and proudly displayed in her New York residence, later found its place of honor at the Fisher Landau Center for Art in Long Island City. This remarkable sale, alongside approximately 120 other artworks including pieces by Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko, was projected to amass a collective worth of $400 million at the auction hosted by Sotheby's. The most expensive artwork ever sold remains Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi," which fetched over $450 million in 2017. Another notable sale was Willem de Kooning's "Interchange," privately acquired for $300 million in 2015, after being initially sold for a mere $4,000 in 1955. The art world continues to witness breathtaking sales, reaffirming the timeless appeal and value of these extraordinary masterpieces.