Picasso Paintings to Headline Christie’s London Auction

Christie’s in London will auction three Pablo Picasso paintings on March 5, 2026, showcasing the breadth of the Spanish artist’s stylistic evolution. The works, created between 1929 and 1964, are expected to draw significant interest from collectors worldwide.

‘The Painter and Her Model’ Leads the Auction

The most highly valued piece is ‘The Painter and Her Model’ (1964), estimated to fetch between £7 million and £10 million (approximately $8.8 million and $12.6 million USD).¹ This painting, part of Picasso’s ‘Artists and Models’ series, is notable for its large scale – nearly two meters high – making it one of the artist’s most substantial works from the 1960s. Michèle McMullan, a Modern Art specialist at Christie’s, highlighted the painting’s impressive size and the energy conveyed through Picasso’s brushwork.

‘Standing Nude and Seated Women’ – A Bordeaux Creation

‘Standing Nude and Seated Women’ (1939) is projected to sell for between £3 million and £5 million (approximately $3.8 million and $6.3 million USD).¹ This painting is one of 34 key works within a larger collection of 230 paintings. It was created in Bordeaux, France, where Picasso sought refuge from the escalating Nazi expansion following Germany’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. During this period, Picasso produced eight small paintings, with ‘Standing Nude and Seated Women’ being considered the best of the series by Olivier Camu, Christie’s Deputy Director of Modern Art and Impressionism.

‘Figure’ – A Period of Artistic Transformation

Rounding out the trio is ‘Figure’ (1929), valued between £600,000 and £800,000 (approximately $760,000 and $1 million USD).¹ Painted during a time of intense personal and artistic change for Picasso, ‘Figure’ reflects his exploration of metamorphosis and distortion, marking a significant step in the development of his unique artistic language.

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was a prolific artist who worked in many mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, and theatrical design.¹ His career spanned nearly 80 years, and he is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.