Summary

• Pablo Picasso’s Buste de femme, a portrait of Dora Maar, will be a highlight of Christie’s Hong Kong sale
• Painted in 1944, the artwork captures the emotional and psychological depth of their complex relationship
• With an estimated value of over $11 million USD, the piece is one of the largest portraits of Maar to come to auction in recent years

A rare and significant masterpiece from the hand of Pablo Picasso is set to be a leading highlight of Christie’s Hong Kong 20th/21st Century Evening Sale on September 26. The painting, Buste de femme, a captivating portrait of his muse and lover Dora Maar, is estimated to sell for $11 million to $14 million USD. After residing in private collections for more than 25 years, this artwork represents one of the largest and most compelling depictions of Maar to come to auction in recent memory.

Painted in March 1944, as the German occupation of Paris was nearing its end, the portrait is imbued with a complex mix of wartime tension and a sense of fresh optimism. Dora Maar, a surrealist artist in her own right, was a creative and intellectual force in Picasso’s life, inspiring many of his most daring portraits, including the famous Weeping Woman.

In Buste de femme, Maar is shown in a magisterial pose, her renowned dark eyes gazing directly at the viewer. The portrait is a powerful exploration of her psychological depth, rendered in striking black, white, vivid red, and green. A signature playful headwear distinguishes the painting from Picasso’s other subjects. This museum-quality piece, which reflects a pivotal moment in art history, is an extraordinary and culturally significant opportunity for collectors across Asia and the world.