A man in Paris has won a Pablo Picasso painting valued at €1 million after purchasing a €100 ticket in a charity raffle organized by Christie’s auction house. The winner, who initially thought the notification was a prank, confirmed his windfall during a video call with Christie’s representatives.
The raffle, aimed at raising funds for an undisclosed charitable cause, offered participants the chance to win the 1938 painting ‘Femme au Béret Rouge et à la Robe Quadrillée.’ Christie’s described the event as a success, with thousands of tickets sold globally.
Art market analysts note that such high-value raffles are rare but not unprecedented. ‘This is a creative way to democratize access to art while supporting philanthropy,’ said one expert, speaking on condition of anonymity due to their affiliation with the auction house.
The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, plans to keep the painting. ‘It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,’ he told BBC News. Christie’s has confirmed the authenticity of the artwork and the legitimacy of the raffle.
Looking ahead, the event may inspire similar initiatives, though experts caution about the risks of fraud in high-stakes raffles. ‘Transparency and third-party verification are crucial,’ added another analyst.