Dutch museum buys Picasso sculpture

17 February 2004

AMSTERDAM — The Kroller-Muller Museum in Otterlo has bought Pablo Picasso’s famous sculpture La Petite Chouette (small owl).

The Dutch museum best known for its collection of works by Vincent van Gogh paid USD 2.2 million to Acquavella Galleries for the sculpture.

Picasso created the owl, measuring 33.5 x 22.5 x 19 cm, from pieces of scrap in 1953. Consisting of nails, screws, nuts, a pair of pliers and a metal saucepan moulded together by plaster, the work is a realistic likeness of an owl.

The Kroller-Muller received financial assistance from several sources to make the purchase.

The Sponsor Lottery provided 50 percent of the funding, the Mondriaan Foundation put up 40 percent and the Rembrandt Association and the Prins Bernhard Culture funds came up with the rest.

Click here for more information on Picasso and the sculpture.

Subject: Dutch news