A unique charity raffle in France is providing an extraordinary opportunity to acquire a masterpiece by Pablo Picasso for just €100 (approximately £87), with all proceeds directed towards Alzheimer's research. The painting in question is Tête de Femme (Head of a Woman), a gouache-on-paper work created by the iconic Spanish artist in 1941.
Raffle Details and Charitable Impact
The organisers have set a cap of 120,000 tickets for the raffle, meaning that if all tickets are sold, the draw could generate up to €12 million. From this total, €1 million will be allocated to the Opera Gallery, the international art dealership that currently owns the painting. The remaining funds will benefit the Alzheimer's Research Foundation, which is based at one of Paris's premier public hospitals, supporting vital medical research into the disease.
Historical Precedents and Picasso's Legacy
This is not the first time Picasso's works have been raffled for charitable causes. Two previous raffles raised over €10 million combined, funding cultural initiatives in Lebanon and water and hygiene programmes across Africa. In 2013, the inaugural "1 Picasso for €100" raffle saw a fire-sprinkler worker from Pennsylvania win Man in the Opera Hat, a cubist piece painted by Picasso in 1914. Subsequently, in 2020, an oil-on-canvas still life titled Nature Morte, painted in 1921, was won by an accountant in Italy after her son gifted her a ticket for Christmas.
That painting was purchased for the raffle from billionaire art collector David Nahmad, who expressed in an interview that Picasso would have endorsed such initiatives. Nahmad highlighted Picasso's generosity, noting that the artist often gave paintings to individuals like his driver and tailor, demonstrating a desire for his art to be accessible to a broad audience, not just the wealthy elite. Picasso passed away in 1973, but his legacy continues to inspire philanthropic efforts.
Viewing and Draw Information
Tête de Femme will be on public display at Christie's auction house in Paris starting Monday, allowing art enthusiasts to view the piece before the raffle. The draw is scheduled to take place at Christie's at 6pm local time on Tuesday, marking a significant event in the art and charity communities.
This initiative underscores the powerful intersection of art and altruism, offering a rare chance for individuals to own a valuable Picasso while contributing to a critical health cause. With ticket sales limited, participants are encouraged to act quickly to secure their opportunity to win this esteemed artwork and support Alzheimer's research.
