A Picasso masterpiece not seen by the public for 60 years has been sold at auction for more than £15 million.
Picasso masterpiece not seen by the public for 60 years has been sold at auction for more than £15 million.
Nu au collier (nude with necklace) fetched £15,956,650 - almost double the estimate of up to £9 million.
The painting was the main attraction of auctioneers Christie's annual sale of impressionist art in central London.
It was completed at the height of the Spanish painter's relationship with Marie-Therese Walters.
Nu au collier dates from 1932, five years after Picasso met 17-year-old Marie-Therese in Paris.
He stopped her in the street and announced: "I am Picasso. You and I are going to do great things together."
The painting dates from the height of their love affair and the fluid, sensuous forms of the painting are interpreted to reflect Picasso's love and desire for his young muse.
A Christie's spokesman said: "The painting was bought for £15,956,650 by a bidder in the room. The sale certainly outstripped all pre-sale expectations and has become the most expensive painting sold in London this year."