A painting by one of Picasso’s mistresses drew considerable interest at Halls (20% buyer’s premium) of Shrewsbury on February 6.
The 2ft 5in x 21in (74 x 54cm) oil on canvas, pictured below left, was painted by Irene Lagut (1893-1994) and depicts the clown Pierrot. Lagut became Picasso’s mistress in 1916 and is believed to be the sitter in his famous 1923 canvas The Lovers. She mainly painted the heads of women, children and harlequins. In original condition and inscribed to the verso in chalk Irene Lagut, 300 Francs, 15 - Dec - 27, it was secured by a private online buyer on thesaleroom.com against competition in the room for £1550, over three times the top guide.
James Forster, Halls’ auctioneer and picture specialist, described it as a “striking modern work… of interest to buyers because Picasso taught her how to paint, so this work must have his influence”.