Pablo Picasso Painting That Was Stolen Nine Years Ago Recovered By Athens Police

An iconic masterpiece of painting by Artist Pablo Picasso was victim of a heist nine years ago at the Greek gallery. But there’s some good news surrounding the art piece now! It has been recovered.

On Monday, Athens police department informed that Picasso’s Head of Woman painting was found along with another important art piece created by a Dutch artist Piet Mondrian.

The Background

Initially, the raid on the Athens National Gallery in 2012 was blamed on two thieves.

The works of art were removed from their natural and original frames by morning raids that only took minutes to perform.

Reuters news agency, quoting an unidentified police officer, reported that a Greek man had been arrested after art was found hidden in a ravine on the outskirts of the city.

Monday’s announcement came just months after it was reported that Greek police still believed the artwork was in the country.

What Did Authorities Say?

The Picasso painting, a portrait of a woman with her signed cubist style, was donated to the National Gallery by the artist himself in 1949. He said the gift, painted ten years earlier, was an expression of the country’s resistance to Nazi Germany.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni told reporters the artwork would have been “impossible to sell or go on display” because it had a personal inscription from the Spanish painter on the back that read, in French, “For the Greek people, a tribute by Picasso.” (Source: BBC)

During the Tuesday press conference, police alleged that the 49-year-old suspect had confessed to the theft and explained how he planned the raid for six months in advance.

A second Mondrian painting was left on the scene during the heist after the robbers dropped it while fleeing.

Officials are expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday.