Undocumented Picasso works appears in France

12-01-2010 09:01 BJT

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A retired French electrician and his wife have come forward with 271 undocumented, never-before-seen works by Pablo Picasso. An administrator of the artist's estate said on Monday that these items are estimated to be worth at least 60 million euros, or around nearly 80 million US dollars.

The electrician worked for Picasso and his wife for years. He squirreled away the staggering trove, which is believed to be authentic, inside a trunk in the garage of their home on the French Riviera.

The cache dates from the artist's most creative period from 1900 to 1932. It includes lithographs, portraits, watercolors, and sketches - plus nine Cubist collages.

Picasso Administration lawyer Jean-Jacques Neuer filed suit on behalf of Picasso's heirs for alleged illegal receipt of the works.

This photo provided by the Succession Picasso shows a drawing of a horse by Picasso. A retired French electrician and his wife have come forward with 271 undocumented, never-before-seen works by Pablo Picasso estimated to be worth at least $79.35 million, an administrator of the artist's estate said Monday. (AP/Succession Picasso)

Jean-Jacques Neuer, Picasso Administration lawyer, said, "To imagine that he could have given 271 art works to somebody who is even not known among his friends, is of course absurd."