Picasso painting found in operation in Manisa house

MANİSA - Doğan News Agency

A reported Picasso painting titled ‘Fight Love,’ has been seized in Manisa. Now the painting’s originality is currently being examined by officials. DHA photo

A painting bearing the signature of Pablo Picasso was seized Jan. 8 during an operation in the Aegean province of Manisa’s Sarigöl district. The painting also bears the seal of Kuwait Museum. Officials have reported that a similar painting was seized in two years ago in the southern province of Adana.

Sarigöl gendarmerie officials were tipped off about “Fight Love,” a priceless painting that a local apparently wanted to sell. In raid on the house of M.O., they found the painting with the signature “Picasso 1920.” M.O was taken into custody following the raid.

Kuwait Museum

Further examination shown the painting also had a seal from the Kuwait Museum as well as a statement saying, “This plate was drawn by Pablo Picasso in 1920. It become of the Louvre museum in 1973.” The painting has been sent to the İzmir Painting and Sculpture Museum to determine its authenticity.

Officials are now examining the two paintings, which are very similar to each other, to discover which one is the original.

In his testimony, M.O. said he received the painting from a person he had met in Hatay sometime ago. In exchange for the painting he bought dinner for this person. He was released on conditions of trial.