Charity raffle offers Picasso portrait for 100 euros a ticket

An international charity raffle aimed at raising funds for Alzheimer’s disease research is offering an extraordinary prize: an original Picasso painting valued at over one million euros. Organizers announced on Tuesday that the unique artwork will be awarded to a single lucky winner, with the drawing scheduled to take place on April 14. The ceremony will be livestreamed from the renowned auction house Christie's in Paris, allowing participants worldwide to witness the event.

A total of 120,000 tickets will be available for purchase exclusively online, each priced at 100 euros. The raffle is backed by Picasso's family and his foundation, ensuring the authenticity and legitimacy of the prized artwork. The painting up for grabs is a portrait of Dora Maar, one of Picasso's most celebrated muses. Titled "Tête de femme" (Woman’s Head), it was created in 1941 during a highly productive period in the artist’s career. Organizers stressed that all proceeds from the raffle will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, supporting vital research into a disease that affects millions worldwide.

This event follows the success of two previous similar raffles organized by the same team under the leadership of French journalist Peri Cochin. The first of these took place in 2013, when a 25-year-old American from Pennsylvania won the artwork. The second raffle, held in 2020, was claimed by an accountant from Ventimiglia, a town in northwest Italy, who received the winning ticket as a Christmas gift from her son. Both previous events proved extremely popular, highlighting the global appeal of combining high-profile art with charitable fundraising.

Interested participants can purchase tickets at the official website, www.1picasso100euros.com. Organizers hope this latest raffle will continue to draw international attention, both for the chance to own a historic work by Picasso and for the opportunity to contribute to a critical cause. By bringing together art collectors, philanthropists, and the wider public, the initiative demonstrates how innovative approaches can raise substantial funds for medical research.

With the painting’s significant historical and artistic value, along with its charitable purpose, the raffle promises to capture the imagination of art lovers and philanthropists alike, potentially creating a transformative impact for Alzheimer’s research while offering one fortunate individual an unforgettable prize.