On September 25, Dubai will host a rare, precious painting by the international artist Picasso: “Lady at La Montre.” Its value is estimated at more than 120 million US dollars, and it is scheduled to be displayed at Sotheby’s Dubai in the Dubai International Financial Center on September 25 and 26. It is the most expensive painting ever offered by an auction house in the Middle East, and it represents a portrait of Marie-Thérèse Walter, painted in 1932.
The painting is scheduled to be unveiled in Dubai, during an exclusive press conference and photo session, at 11 am, at the house’s headquarters, in the presence of a guest of honour. Later, the painting will land in New York, where it will be displayed at Sotheby’s auction on November 8 and 9.
This painting is from the distinguished collection of art collector Emily Fisher Landau, and has hung in her living room for half a century.
Katia Nonno-Boys, head of Sotheby’s in the United Arab Emirates, said: “Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, will be the first stop on the painting’s global tour. This painting is classified as one of the greatest works of modern art that Sotheby’s is offering for sale at public auction, and it is also the perfect work of art that highlights our efforts and confirms our commitment to providing the best arts and culture to the region.”
She continued: “In 2020, we displayed a painting by Sandro Botticelli, valued at more than $80 million, and at that time it made headlines as the most expensive painting ever to be displayed in the Middle East by an auction house. Since then, we have showcased a range of amazing works by painters such as Boeti, Kandinsky, Warhol and more. The appearance of this painting by Picasso and its display at our house in Dubai represents an exceeding of the record set by a Botticelli painting, and it also represents the first time that a painting of this artistic value, by one of the greats of art, has been displayed in the Emirates.”
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It is noteworthy that “Lady at La Montre” (130.2 x 96.5 cm), is considered one of the first important works purchased by the Emily Fisher Landau Art University, and it is a masterpiece by all standards.
The painting was painted in 1932, “The Miracle Year” by Picasso. Its bold primary colors ooze from the fabric, which is five feet long. This painting is not only an outstanding work of art painted in a year that witnessed an artistic boom for Picasso, but it is a prominent work of art in the story of Western art.
Emily Fisher Landau (1920-1923) purchased this painting in 1968, at the beginning of her collecting journey.
This large purchase was a bold move for a new art collector, but she realized that it was an unmissable painting, and she immediately bought it from the Pace Gallery, and it remained the cornerstone of her collection for more than five decades, hanging above the fireplace in her home in New York.
In addition, the painting contains another important distinguishing feature, which is the watch that the artist clearly placed on Marie-Thérèse’s wrist.
