Mystery of £52m Picasso damaged before auction

A PICASSO self portrait worth an estimated £52million has been withdrawn from an auction today after it was ‘accidentally damaged’.

The 1943 masterpiece, pictured, called The Marin or The Sailor had been a highlight of Christie’s impressionist and modern sale. A spokesman for Christie’s in New York said: ‘After consultation ... the painting has been withdrawn from Christie’s May 15 sale to allow the restoration process to begin.’