Officials in Spain seized a painting believed to be by Pablo Picasso valued at more than $460,000 from a passenger who failed to declare it at airport customs, Spain’s Tax Agency and Civil Guard said in a statement in Monday.
The traveler, whose name has not been released, arrived in Ibiza, Spain, from Switzerland on July 5 and tried to carry the 1966 painting, called “Trois Personnages,” in his luggage, according to Spanish authorities.
Spanish authorities said customs officials in Switzerland notified them of a passenger “carrying a work of art under circumstances” that Swiss officials considered “suspicious.” The man told authorities he had nothing to declare when questioned after landing at Ibiza airport.
When he tried to go through a green lane at the airport, customs officials searched his luggage and found the sketch signed by Picasso, authorities said.
According to investigators, the traveler then claimed the work was a copy and presented a handwritten invoice for 1,500 Swiss francs, or about $1,550.
But during a search of the luggage, investigators found a second invoice from a Zurich art gallery for 450,000 Swiss francs, or about $464,000, for the sale of “Trois Personnages” (Three Figures), authorities said.
Picasso, who was born in Malaga, Spain, became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, and his works fetched significant sums. In May, Picasso’s Femme Nue Couchée, valued at more than $60 million, sold for $67.5 million with Sotheby’s fees.
Imports such as works of art imported into Spain from countries outside the European Union are subject to customs duties.
Spanish authorities said in a statement: “Since this is property that exceeds 150,000 euros and that was entered without a customs declaration despite specific questions from the authorities in relation to whether the passenger had anything to declare, an alleged crime of smuggling would have been committed.” “
After the incident, the sketch was submitted for inspection to the director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Ibiza, who reported that the work was a Picasso original and that its market value matched the Swiss gallery’s invoice price.
Spanish authorities said experts would carry out a more comprehensive analysis of the artwork to determine its source, and that it would remain under court supervision until the investigation was completed.
Add Comment