Italian Family Seeks Authentication of Possible Picasso

An Italian family is seeking to confirm the authenticity of a painting they found over 60 years ago on Capri, believed to be a work by Pablo Picasso. Discovered in a pile of trash by a junk dealer, the painting has been stored in the family's home and restaurant near Naples for decades, despite initial skepticism from family members who deemed it 'ugly.' Andrea Lo Russo, the dealer's son, sparked interest in its provenance after recognizing similarities to a Picasso in a textbook, leading to attempts to verify its authenticity. Recent tests by the Swiss-based Arcadia Foundation suggest that the painting's materials are consistent with Picasso's palette, increasing its estimated value to around €6 million ($6.6 million). The family hopes to persuade Picasso’s estate in Paris to officially authenticate the work, which could potentially raise its value further. The painting is currently secured in Milan, awaiting further examination and validation.