Found Painting by Junk Dealer Is Actually an Original Picasso

Luigi Lo Rosso spent his days picking through abandoned homes and landfills in his native Pompeii, Italy. He found a rolled up canvas in an abandoned basement on the island of Capri, and brought it back home, where he hung it on the wall.

For six decades it hung in a cheap frame, and was known as the ‘the scribble’ to his wife and children, who didn’t think much of it.

Mrs. Lo Rosso was never very fond of the painting, referring to it as “The Scribble”

After Lo Rosso’s death, one of his sons saw similar art by Picasso, and became curious, wondering if their own painting could be the real deal.

The family contacted art historians, who spent significant time ensuring the painting wasn’t stolen, and was indeed, authentic.

Just last month, it was officially decreed that the painting is real, and is worth around €6 million ($6.6 million) in today’s art market. Pretty amazing discovery, after all these years.