Picasso theft in Paris

And it's a big one, at least in terms of value:

Two paintings by Pablo Picasso worth an estimated 50 million euros ($66 million) were stolen in Paris from the home of the painter's granddaughter, police said.

The two canvases disappeared during the night of Feb. 26- 27, Robert Martin, a spokesman for Paris police, said in a telephone interview today. The spokesman declined to give the granddaughter's name; Agence France-Presse identified her as Diana Widmaier Picasso.

The works were ``Maya a la poupee,'' a painting of Picasso's daughter, and a portrait of his second wife, Jacqueline, the police said. Diana Widmaier Picasso is Maya's daughter, AFP said.

The police didn't find any sign of forced entry into the Left Bank seventh arrondissement apartment, AFP said. Police were called yesterday and the organized crime unit opened an investigation, Martin said.

Posted by David on February 28, 2007 12:44 PM