A frantic three-week search for a valuable painting by celebrated Spanish artist Pablo Picasso has ended in an unexpectedly mundane fashion. The artwork, "Naturaleza muerta con guitarra" (Still Life with Guitar), valued at €600,000, was recovered after it was discovered that it had been mistakenly left behind at its pickup location in Madrid and subsequently taken in for safekeeping by a well-meaning neighbour.

The small gouache and pencil work, created in 1919, was scheduled to be a highlight of the “Still Life: the Eternity of the Inert” exhibition at the CajaGranada foundation in Granada, Spain. The alarm was raised after the painting failed to be accounted for following a delivery of loaned exhibits from a private collector in Madrid on Friday, 3 October 2025, EAT.

An International Investigation Sparked by Human Error

According to a statement from the CajaGranada foundation, the consignment of artworks arrived at their cultural centre on the morning of Friday, 3 October. However, the foundation noted that due to some packages not being correctly numbered, a complete and exhaustive check of the contents was impossible at the time of delivery. The delivery was signed off, and it was not until the following Monday, 6 October 2025, EAT, during the unpacking process, that the curator and head of exhibitions realised the Picasso was missing. The foundation promptly reported the disappearance to Spain's Policía Nacional on 10 October 2025, EAT, who launched a full-scale investigation. The artwork was also registered in Interpol's international database of stolen art.

Initial speculation centred on a potential theft during transit. Reports suggested the transport van, manned by two individuals, may have made an overnight stop near Granada, with the crew taking turns to guard the valuable cargo. However, the investigation by the Historical Heritage Unit of the Policía Nacional ultimately revealed a far simpler cause. Sources close to the investigation, cited by Spain’s Efe news agency, confirmed the painting “never even left the building from which it was to be shipped.” The transport company had reportedly left the small, packaged artwork in the doorway of the Madrid building. A neighbour, believing it to be a forgotten delivery, picked it up for safekeeping. Days later, upon hearing news reports about the missing Picasso, the neighbour's husband made the connection, she checked the package, and immediately contacted the police.

Global Significance of Picasso's Work

While this incident has no direct connection to Kenya or the East Africa region, it underscores the immense cultural and financial value placed on the works of artists like Pablo Picasso. Picasso (1881-1973) is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, and his works command enormous sums at auction, making them a frequent target for thieves. Notable art heists involving his work include the 1976 theft of 118 pieces from a museum in Avignon, France, and a 2007 theft of two paintings worth a combined €50 million from his granddaughter's home in Paris. In most cases, the artworks are eventually recovered, highlighting the difficulty of selling such high-profile stolen pieces on the open market.

The recovery of "Naturaleza muerta con guitarra" brings relief to the art world and the private collector who owns it. The CajaGranada foundation has expressed its hope that the 12.7cm x 9.8cm painting can still be included in the exhibition as originally planned. The Spanish National Police have stated that their investigation remains open, with scientific police examining the recovered package.