The controversy swells around the project of sale in the form of NFT of certain works of the deceased artist. The heirs of Pablo Picasso are divided on the subject.
NFTs are causing more and more debate and even dividing the artistic community. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) can even divide a deceased artist’s heirs; as is currently the case for the descendants of Pablo Picasso. Died nearly 50 years ago, the Spanish artist left his mark on 20th century art and left behind many works. Half a century later, the battle rages between the heirs of Picasso around the NFT.
In January, some descendants floated the idea of auctioning off a thousand of one of his works in digital form. Very present in the world of art, the NFT (“Non-Fungible Token”, or “non-fungible tokens”) were ready to reach Pablo Picasso. It was without counting on the intervention of part of the family, as reported by AFP. “Some family members do not agree with the project and do not want their names mentioned”, explained Florian Picasso, DJ and great-grandson of Pablo Picasso, to the Associated Press agency. A setback for the descendant and his mother, Marina Picasso, who intended to offer a series of 1,010 NFTs of a ceramic by the artist.
NFTs shake up the art world… and the Picasso family
For its part, the Picasso Administration preferred to evoke a misunderstanding between the descendants. “The press report that Picasso’s heirs were about to bring ‘Pablo Picasso’ NFTs onto the market is completely false”assured a spokesperson for the Administration to the Associated Press. “To date, there is no Picasso NFT authorized by the Picasso estate”confirms the organization in a press release consulted by Agence France-Presse.
However, the great-grandson of the artist and his mother Marina do offer non-fungible tokens inspired by the works of Picasso. As spotted by the Cryptoast site, the Nifty Gateway platform where NFTs are offered, however, presents a warning message: “This NFT is the personal creation of Marina and Florian Picasso — it is not related to Pablo Picasso, his name, and his work. »
Picasso’s descendants now seem on the same wavelength
According to Marina Picasso, however, an agreement has been reached with the rest of the family. “Unfortunately our words were not reported as it should be, and compared to some members of my family who already had a difference of opinion, there really was a misunderstanding which did no good to anyone”, explains the granddaughter of Pablo Picasso in a new video. She adds that she obtained the support of her uncle Claude Picasso; who was the only one according to a lawyer of the Picasso Administration to be able to validate this NFT project. Marina and Florian Picasso ensure that they will “continue to produce NFTs”.
