Two of Picasso’s Heirs Are Selling NFTs Inspired By Never-Before-Seen Artwork
Alongside a song featuring John Legend and Nas.
Two of Pablo Picasso’s heirs are selling limited-edition NFTs inspired by the Spanish painter’s renowned artwork, sparking backlash from other family members who said the project would violate “artistic monopoly.”
“Picasso Man & The Beat” is being sold as five limited-edition sets of 200 NFTs powered by Origin Protocol, an NFT platform that allows sellers to customize their own digital storefront. The collection was inspired by a never-before-seen original Picasso piece that is slated for auction in March by Sotheby’s and Picasso’s granddaughter Marina and great-grandson Florian.
Alongside the NFT release, Florian, a DJ, has collaborated with John Legend and Nas on a new track titled “Tomorrow,” which will be part of the audio-visual NFT experience.
“This collection embodies 20th-century art through both traditional and digital art forms,” said Matthew Liu, co-founder, Origin Protocol. “‘Picasso Man and the Beat’ is bridging together the past and the future, representing how traditional forms of art and their legacies are being migrated to the burgeoning NFT landscape.”
However, several other Picasso family members claim joint ownership over Picasso’s intellectual property and were displeased with the project. Jean-Jacques Neuer, a lawyer for the Picasso Administration, told Associated Press on Thursday that Florian’s NFT was “his own creation, independent of any claim vis-a-vis Pablo Picasso and his works.” He added that any association with a Picasso work would violate “artistic monopoly.”
“What’s happening is that some members of the family don’t agree with the project, and don’t want [Pablo Picasso's] name mentioned,” Florian told AP.
“Picasso Man & The Beat” is launching Friday through a dedicated website powered by Origin Protocol.
In other news, Picasso’s paintings sold for more than $100 million USD at a recent Sotheby’s auction.
