The painting probably comes from the collection of the former Romanian dictator Ceausescu.
The police in Bulgaria have confiscated a painting that is an unknown work by the US painter Jackson Pollock could act. “The most competent experts in Bulgaria have examined the picture and assured us that the authenticity is almost certain,” Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said on Thursday.
According to experts at the National Gallery in the capital Sofia, the color pigments, technique and style of the two-meter-high picture indicate a work by the abstract painter from the period between 1949 and 1950. However, the authenticity should still be proven Pollock-Experts to be confirmed.
Found in house search in February
The police found the picture – a red and black abstract motif on a gold background – back in February during a house search in Sofia, in which Europol and the Greek police were also involved. It bears what is believed to be the artist’s signature and a dedication to Hollywood star Lauren Bacall on the back Pollock was friends.
The seal and signature of the former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu can also be seen on the reverse – an indication that the picture once belonged to Ceauşescu’s private collection. According to the interior minister, the painting was initially in Greece and then smuggled to Bulgaria, where it was to be resold.
According to Demerdzhiev, if the authenticity of the picture is confirmed, Bulgaria wants to transfer it to state ownership. “The last Pollockpainting brought in 100 million euros, and I don’t expect this one to cost less,” Demerdzhiev said.
(APA/AFP)