In 1932, at the age of 50, the leading Spanish painter Pablo Picassocreated the unique “Femme à la Montre” inspired by his “golden muse” and mistress, Marie Therese Walter (Marie-Thérèse Walter). The famous work, measuring 130 x 96.5cm, will be exhibited for the first time in London for five days before being auctioned by Sotheby’s house next month.

As the Guardian reports estimated to exceed $120 million.

The hidden meaning of the Table

Brightly colored, ‘Femme à la Montre’ shows Walter seated in profile while a watch with a bright yellow strap can be seen on her wrist. It is noted that it is one of the artist’s three major works with a clock.

“Picasso is about passion, but this particular passion [για τα ρολόγια] it’s not generally known,” said Sotheby’s vice president Simon Shaw. “He was an incredibly stylish man who was very concerned about his dress code. And a watch lover extraordinaire. Even his photographs of watches are sought after by watch collectors.”

In the portrait, Walter is depicted as a “Enthroned Madonna”, according to Shaw.

Their relationship began when the then 45-year-old artist saw her through the window of Galeries Lafayette in Paris. “I think the watch relates to stolen time [του Πικάσο και της Ουόλτερ] together – although it was now an open secret,” Shaw said.

The portrait was purchased in 1968 by Emily Fisher Landau (Emily Fisher Landau), one of the greatest art collectors of the 20th century who passed away in March at the age of 102.