Recovered: Spanish Police Find Missing $700,000 Picasso Painting "Still Life with Guitar" Under Mysterious Circumstances

Spanish Police inspect a Picasso painting "Still Life with Guitar," that disappeared on October 10

Spanish police announced on Friday the recovery of a Pablo Picasso painting that had mysteriously vanished while being transported to an exhibition, suggesting the artwork may never have been loaded onto the delivery truck.

The 1919 gouache and pencil work "Still Life with Guitar," valued at approximately 600,000 euros ($700,000), went missing in early October during its journey from Madrid to Granada in southern Spain.

This valuable piece, owned by a private collector in Madrid, was intended for display as part of a new exhibition at the CajaGranada Foundation.

Upon unpacking the truck's contents on October 6, the exhibition curator discovered the Picasso painting was not among the delivered items.

The CajaGranada Foundation stated in their announcement that all items delivered had been under constant video surveillance since their arrival three days prior.

Following a report to authorities about the missing artwork, police confirmed its recovery on Friday, though they withheld details about where the painting was found.

"Initial investigations indicate that the painting possibly wasn't loaded onto the transport vehicle in the first place," the National Police statement revealed.

Authorities released images showing their forensic experts examining the package containing the recovered artwork.

The foundation expressed optimism that "Still Life with Guitar" would still be featured in the exhibition, which opened on October 9 and continues until January 11.

Picasso's works frequently attract thieves due to their extraordinary value. Recently, two of his paintings sold at auction for over $140 million.

In a notable 1976 incident, more than 100 Picasso pieces were stolen from the Palais des Papes in Avignon, France, though all were eventually recovered.

Picasso, born in Malaga in 1881 and deceased in 1973, is considered one of the 20th century's most influential artistic figures.