Rare 1932 Picasso Portrait of Lover and Muse Marie-Therese To sell at Sotherbys Paris

We rarely mention Art and Antiques here, although we do have a category covering them, we tend to stick to luxury goods, that is unless the Art is exceptional, and in this case it is indeed.

Painted by Picasso in 1932 it is a portrait of Marie-Therese, who was both his lover and his muse.  It was painted during Picasso's "lovestruck" period and shows Marie-Therese sleeping in an armchair with her head back and an open book on her lap, and is titled "la lecture" or "reading".

Said Phillip Hook, Director of the Impressionist and Modern Picture Department at Sotherby's London. "This period is just about the most desirable of all Picasso's, certainly in market terms."

It will be going to auction next month at Sotherby's Paris and has an estimate of £11-£18 million, although it will most certainly exceed that estimate.