Although Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973), experienced financial difficulties early in his life, his paintings now sell into millions. Dora Maar au Chat fetched $95.2 million in 2006.
It was painted in 1941. It depicts Dora Maar, the painter’s Croatian mistress, seated on a chair with small cat perched on her shoulder.
The canvas was one of many portraits of Dora Maar painted by Pablo Picasso over their nearly decade long relationship. Picasso fell in love with Dora Maar at the age of 55 and soon began living with her.
This painting was done during the year 1941, when the Nazis were occupying France. In the 1940s, the painting was obtained by Chicago collectors Leigh and Mary Block. They sold the painting in 1963.
Dora Maar au Chat by Picasso
