Full Breakdown
Investigation Underway for Missing Picasso Painting in Spain
10/17/2025, 9:50:45 PM
Disappearance of "Still Life with Guitar"
Spanish police are currently investigating the disappearance of Pablo Picasso's painting "Still Life with Guitar" (Spanish: "Naturaleza muerta con guitarra"), valued at approximately €600,000 ($700,000). The gouache and pencil work, created in 1919, was en route from Madrid to the CajaGranada Foundation in Granada for an exhibition titled "Still Life: The Eternity of the Inert," which opened on October 9, 2025. The painting was part of a consignment of artworks loaned by a private collector in Madrid.
The van carrying the artworks arrived in Granada on October 3, 2025, at around 10 a.m. Upon unloading, the foundation's staff noted issues with the numbering of some packages, which complicated a thorough verification process. Despite these complications, the delivery was accepted. It was only after the weekend, during unpacking on October 6, that the absence of "Still Life with Guitar" was discovered.
Investigation Details
The National Police have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the painting's disappearance. Investigators are reviewing security camera footage from both the museum in Granada and the storage facility in Madrid. Reports suggest that the delivery van may have made an unscheduled overnight stop in Deifontes, raising questions about the security of the artwork during transit.
The CajaGranada Foundation has expressed its commitment to cooperating fully with the investigation, stating, "We have complete faith that the case will be properly resolved." The foundation also noted that the artworks were under video surveillance throughout the weekend, and no incidents were recorded during that time.
Historical Context of Art Theft
The theft of Picasso's works is not unprecedented. The artist's pieces have long been targets for thieves due to their high value. Notable incidents include the theft of twelve Picasso paintings valued at around £9 million from the French Riviera villa of his granddaughter, Marina Picasso, in 1989. Additionally, in 1976, 118 works were stolen from a museum in Avignon, France, marking one of the largest art thefts in history.
Official Statements & Responses
The CajaGranada Foundation has reported the incident to the police and is actively involved in the investigation. They have stated, "Once the unpacking had been done by the CajaGranada foundation’s own staff, the works were moved to different parts of the exhibition room," emphasizing the protocol followed during the handling of the artworks.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the police have confirmed the investigation, they have not disclosed specific details, citing confidentiality rules. There are discrepancies in reports regarding the exact timeline of events and the security measures taken during the transport of the painting. Some sources indicate that the van may have stopped overnight, while others do not confirm this detail.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have also put ourselves at the disposal of those investigating, and we have complete faith that the case will be properly resolved.” — CajaGranada Foundation
- “Once the unpacking had been done by the CajaGranada foundation's own staff, the works were moved to different parts of the exhibition room,” — CajaGranada Foundation
- “An investigation is currently underway, and the investigation is attempting to determine when and where the painting disappeared,” — Granada Police
The investigation into the missing Picasso painting continues, with authorities working to uncover the circumstances of its disappearance and recover the valuable artwork.
