Unusual – A Frenchman wins a Picasso for 100 euros in a Paris raffle

A Frenchman won an original Pablo Picasso painting yesterday in Paris at a charity raffle organized to benefit Alzheimer's research. The winner, Ari Hodara, obtained the painting with a ticket purchased for 100 euros as part of the event. “1 Picasso for 100 Euros”.

A work estimated at nearly one million euros

The winning artwork is Head of a womanA portrait of Dora Maar painted by Pablo Picasso in 1941. This gouache on paper is estimated to be worth around one million euros, with some appraisals even suggesting a value of 1,45 million euros. The principle of the raffle was based on a simple idea: to allow the general public to try to win a major work by the Spanish artist with a relatively accessible starting stake.

A draw organized in the capital

The draw took place in Paris, in a prestigious setting, in the presence of the organizers of this third edition. The event attracted attention far beyond the art world, both because of Pablo Picasso's renown and the exceptional nature of the undertaking. Ari Hodara's name was officially announced after the draw.

More than 120 tickets sold

This year's raffle was a resounding success. Over 120,000 tickets were sold, raising approximately €12 million. Part of this sum will go to the partner who owns the artwork, while the majority of the funds will be dedicated to financing Alzheimer's research.

A surprised and passionate art lover

Ari Hodara, a Parisian in his fifties, said he was surprised by his win. Described variously as a software engineer or a sales engineer, he reportedly discovered the raffle shortly before the drawing. An art enthusiast and admirer of Pablo Picasso, he is said to have initially intended to keep the artwork.

A charity raffle already organized in the past

The "1 Picasso for 100 Euros" campaign is not new. Two previous raffles were organized in recent years to support other charitable causes. This new edition marks a refocusing on medical research, with a clearly stated objective: to raise significant funds through a high-profile cultural event.