A Pablo Picasso painting of Dora Maar, titled *Bust of a Woman in a Flowery Hat (Dora Maar)*, has been consigned to the Paris auction house Lucien Paris after not being seen publicly for 80 years. Painted in 1943 and last exhibited in 1944, the work was inherited by the anonymous seller from a grandparent. It is currently on view at Hôtel Drouot and will be auctioned on October 24 with an estimate of approximately $9.5 million. Photographic evidence of the painting appears in 1944 photos by Brassaï of Picasso’s studio.
The sale matters because it offers a rare opportunity to acquire a significant Picasso portrait that has remained in private hands for decades, providing insight into the artist’s relationship with Dora Maar during the final phase of their partnership. While the estimate is far below Picasso’s auction record of $179.4 million set in 2015, the work’s historical provenance and fresh-to-market status could attract strong collector interest, underscoring the enduring demand for major works by modern masters.