In Iraq, A Stolen Picasso Painting, Missing Since 1990, Is Recovered By Police
Ever see a Picasso painting folded like a cheap poster? Now you have, that is, if the painting in this photo is really the master's "The Naked Woman." The Iraqi Police say it is. They recovered the work, missing since 1990, in an Iraqi Special forces raid about 60 miles south of Baghdad, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2008. Iraqi Police,HO/AP Photo hide caption
Ever see a Picasso painting folded like a cheap poster? Now you have, that is, if the painting in this photo is really the master's "The Naked Woman." The Iraqi Police say it is. They recovered the work, missing since 1990, in an Iraqi Special forces raid about 60 miles south of Baghdad, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2008.
Iraqi Police,HO/AP PhotoNPR's Deborah Amos, reporting from Baghdad, says police have recovered a rare painting by Pablo Picasso, called "The Naked Woman: "The sting operation went off without a hitch, even though the painting has been on a wanted list since 1991."
After Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, the picture disappeared from the country's national museum. According to Amos, who cited police officials in the town of Hilla, there were rumors that a valuable painting was on the market, for sale for $500,000. Undercover agents acted as interested art dealers.
The Picasso was slipped out in an envelope for inspection. Even the plaque from the museum was part of the package. The police swooped in for the arrest and recovery.
The painting -- and the suspect -- are en route to Baghdad.