French couple convicted of theft of 271 Picasso works – Dagens Næringsliv

A French couple in 70s is sentenced to conditional imprisonment for two years for stealing 271 artworks by Pablo Picasso.

Published: 21.03.2015 – 12:15

The article is added to your reading list.

Pierre Le Guennec, who worked as an electrician in Picasso’s villa near Cannes south of France, has said that the artworks was given to him one evening in 1970.

Picasso’s heirs, however, denied this and reported in 2011 Le Guennec and his wife for theft.

The heirs were familiar with the matter after Le Guennec in 2011 traveled to Paris to get testimonials that the works were genuine.

The artworks have been stored in a garage for 37 years. Le Guennec and his wife, both retirees in 70 years, has never tried to sell works of art, which was created by Picasso from 1900 to 1932.

The art, which includes a pair of oil paintings, drawings and lithographs will now be handed over heirs, who are satisfied with the verdict. (© NTB)

See also:

Munch’s works among art seized by the Nazis

Copies competitor

Sceptical “new” “Scream”