About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

American Wins $1mn Picasso for Just 100 Euros

by Bidita Debnath on December 19, 2013 at 10:59 PM
 American Wins $1mn Picasso for Just 100 Euros

After paying a mere 100 euros ($135), a US ticket-holder in a worldwide online charity raffle walked away with an exquisite $1 million Picasso, Sotheby's said after organising the first-of-its-kind tombola.

The perfectly preserved Cubist artwork had been bought by an anonymous donor from a New York gallery and given to a charity working to save the ancient city of Tyre in southern Lebanon.

Advertisement

The UNESCO-registered charity issued 50,000 tickets at 100 euros each for the tombola at Sotheby's in Paris, hoping to raise $5 million.

The lucky winner in the raffle was 25-year-old Jeffrey Gonano from Pennsylvania, who works for a fire protection company.

The charity wants the money to develop a traditional handicraft village giving young people, women and the disabled jobs in Tyre and to set up an institute for Phoenician studies in Beirut.
Advertisement

Olivier Picasso, Pablo's grandson, was among those drumming up interest in the 40,000-odd tickets.

"Buy a ticket and enjoy a double pleasure," Olivier, whose grandmother Marie-Therese Walter was Picasso's mistress, had told AFP.

"The first one will be to help a really interesting project and the second one is, hey, maybe to get a Picasso on your wall."

People from all over the world went online to buy just one or a handful of tickets at www.1picasso100euros.com.

Picasso is almost as famous for his chronic infidelities and succession of beautiful muses as for the genius of his work that makes his masterpieces some of the most expensive on the planet.

Although Olivier never met his grandfather, he has written books about the life of the 20th century art genius and is convinced that Picasso would have approved of the pre-Christmas tombola.

"In many ways he was excited about exploration, so for sure being the first one to be in a raffle would be exciting but more seriously he was really concerned by other people's problems.

"In the '50s for example he was receiving something like 100 requests per day for money, for participations, for a gift and I've been told most of the requests were answered," he said.

Olivier, who says he has many Picassos of his own, described the signed "L'Homme au Gibus" or "Man in the Opera Hat", painted in 1914, as a "masterpiece" of museum standard in perfect condition.

The International Association to Save Tyre (AIST) says it is the first time that a top-level piece of art has ever been raffled.

Their publicity drive began in Paris, moved to London and finished in New York. The website functioned in Arabic, English, French and Russian to widen the net of potential buyers.

Source: AFP
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest Lifestyle and Wellness News

Work Breaks - Need of the Hour to Counteract Prolonged Sitting
Prolonged sitting among office goers, pose risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancers.
Fear of Garlic Bad Breath? Try Deodorizing Effect of Yogurt
Yogurt's protein and fat content demonstrated its unidentified deodorizing properties against garlic's pungent odor.
Smoking Tobacco and Cannabis Tied to Depression Risk
People who smoke tobacco and cannabis have an increased risk of depression and anxiety than those who use either substance alone or not at all.
Prevent Cognitive Decline in High-Activity Jobs
Research reveals the association between cognitive impairment and physically demanding careers, emphasizing the need for preventative strategies.
Physical Activity's Importance in Combating Sedentary Lifestyle
Excessive and protracted sedentary mode of life can result in cardiovascular problems, loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, and more.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

American Wins $1mn Picasso for Just 100 Euros Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests