It was reported in November of 2010, that a 71-year old electrician, Pierre Le Guennec, who periodically did work in the home of Pablo Picasso, had stolen over 271 pieces of precious artwork and had been hiding it in his garage since the sixties and seventies.
How was this so called theft uncovered? The situation all started when the aging electrician, putting his own affairs in order, sought to have the pieces of artwork given to him as gifts by both Pablo and Jacqueline Picasso during the time he worked for the Picasso family, authenticated by the Picasso estate. His motive wasn’t for himself, but for his grandchildren’s future education.
It is widely known within the art world that an artist of Picasso’s talent would continually draw, sketch and create minor pieces he never thought would sell. Artist of his caliber would often finance their living arrangements, food substance and travel expenses by trading these pieces instead of paying money for these transactions. Some would even give them as gifts to friends, associates or people they liked.
Pierre’s collection consisted of stray sketches, watercolors and Cubist collages created by the master painter.
The attorney’s for the Picasso Estate has not only authenticated this collection as Ole Pablo’s work, they valued the collection at over $80 Million dollar. Not only did they admit to this, they accused the old electrician of stealing the previous works of art and hiding them all these years. Talk about a pompas attitude towards an old man who was only trying to authenticate items given to him in his younger days.
Just because someone doesn’t have a receipt or a letter authenticating a gift there is no reason why the Picasso Estate would turn on this man who lovingly preserved these pieces of art, and then insult him even further by suing him for being a thief. If the man stole these pieces of precious art, does anyone really think he would contact the family directly to have them authenticated? No, he wouldn’t he would go to his grave claiming they were reproductions or never say a word.
Apparently Picasso’s son Claude Picasso and the other five heirs who make up the Picasso estate didn’t know their father at all. If these pieces were considered “Unknown” that means they didn’t know they existed, therefore, how could they claim they were stolen if they didn’t know about them?
It is widely known throughout many memoirs, including Pablo Picasso’s own writings, and letters from his friends and others that he was very generous with his discarded pieces of art. He would often give them away instead of throwing them out. He knew his name held value in the art world and although he personally never kept a record of his inventory, especially who he gave it to as a gift or gave it to in lue of payment for services rendered.
It was reported in various news articles here in the United States, including ABC news and CNN where the lawyer for the Picasso Estate stated, "It doesn't make sense that Picasso would give away 271 works. There are no documents which prove that this man was Picasso's close friend. It is simply unbelievable." I guess this lawyer gives a letter with every gift he gives a person within his circles. Le Guennec insisted in many interviews that, "It was Madame who gave them to me, because he was pleased with my service."
Either Picasso himself instructed his wife, Jacqueline to give them to him in appreciation for his dedication over the course of the three years he worked for the Spanish Painter, or Jacqueline just gave them to him because he continued to work for her even after the great painter died. Remember she out lived him by fifteen years and had to pay to keep up the name of Picasso.
One has to wonder if Claude and Polamo, Picasso’s children by his first wife Françoise Gilot are just being vengeful because Jacqueline refused to allow them to attend their father’s funeral which was Picasso’s wish after all. To think the Picasso children and the other heirs of his Estate would turn black hearted all in the name of money. Wonder how much they plan to auction off those new unseen 271 pieces for? Just think of the money they'll make when these end up at Christie's or Sotheby’s!
If I owned a Picasso I'd put it in the closet so I wouldn't have to be accused of stealng it!
No comments:
Post a Comment