This time a controvertial painting of Picasso the artist on a black background:

Pablo Picasso, Angel Fernández de Soto (detail), 1903. Oil on canvas. © Christie's Images Ltd.

LONDON, NEW YORK.- Christie’s and The Andrew Lloyd Webber Art Foundation today announced that – with great reluctance – they will withdraw the magnificent Blue Period Portrait de Angel Fernández de Soto, 1903, that had been scheduled for sale at Christie’s New York sale of Impressionist and Modern Art this evening. The joint decision was the result of 11th-hour claims – claims that Christie’s and the Foundation believe to have no merit – about title to the picture. Christie’s Americas president Marc Porter stated: “Despite the favorable ruling of the federal court dismissing their claims there, we have been informed by the litigant’s attorneys that they intend to file another suit in state court. A cloud of doubt has been recklessly placed on the Portrait de Angel de Soto by the litigant and his attorneys on the very eve of this long-scheduled and highly publicized sale. We have thus been compelled to withdraw the Portrait from...More