A Parisian art aficionado has secured a Pablo Picasso masterpiece exceeding €1m after buying a €100 raffle ticket by chance. Ari Hodara, 58, a sales professional, found he had claimed the award on Tuesday following a lottery draw taking place at Christie’s auction gallery in Paris. The painting, Head of a Woman, is a 1941 portrait of Dora Maar, the Spanish artist’s longtime muse and partner. Hodara, who called himself an amateur art lover with a passion for Picasso, purchased his ticket during the weekend after hearing about the charity raffle while dining at a dining establishment. “How do I check that it’s not a hoax?” he said upon hearing the news, before stating his plan to keep the piece.
A lucky find at dinner
Hodara’s notable stroke of luck started quite by chance whilst he was having a meal at a eatery during the weekend. The 58-year-old engineer in sales happened to learn about the “1 Picasso for €100” draw by pure chance over dinner, a serendipitous encounter that would in the end alter his circumstances. Rather than dismissing the opportunity, he decided to purchase a ticket, perhaps attracted by the charitable nature of the raffle or just curious about the chance to own a work by one of history’s most celebrated artists. His spontaneous decision to place a bet on a €100 ticket would become one of the most fortuitous decisions he has ever made.
Upon receiving the phone call from organisers verifying his victory on Tuesday, Hodara’s initial reaction was one of understandable scepticism. “How do I verify that it’s not a hoax?” he asked, a typical reaction to such an extraordinary claim. However, once the reality of his win became clear, his thoughts immediately turned to telling the news with his wife, who was still working at the time. The sales engineer stated his desire to enjoy the moment and keep the painting for himself, at first, rather than immediately considering selling or auctioning it on.
The artwork and its history of ownership
Head of a Woman is a compelling portrait painted by Picasso in 1941, capturing the likeness of Dora Maar, the Spanish master’s long-time companion and romantic partner. The work exemplifies Picasso’s unique artistic approach during this era, blending elements of abstraction with portraiture to produce a powerful and moving image. The painting has been valued at over €1m, reflecting both its artistic significance and the lasting relevance of Picasso’s work in the modern art world. Its participation in the charity raffle represents a exceptional chance for the public to obtain a authentic work by one of the 20th century’s most influential and prolific artists.
The painting was previously owned by Opera Gallery, an international art dealership whose founder, Gilles Dyan, proved essential to facilitating the raffle. Dyan made available the piece at a preferential price, with the public valuation fixed at €1.45m, substantially exceeding the €1m that is to be given to the gallery from the raffle proceeds. This charitable donation underscores the charitable spirit behind the initiative, with organisers emphasising that the sale would produce considerable revenue for Alzheimer’s research. The transaction shows how prestigious artworks can serve broader philanthropic purposes whilst continuing to be accessible to art enthusiasts beyond traditional auction house clientele.
Dora Maar: muse and creative partner
Dora Maar was far more than simply a subject in Picasso’s artistic vision; she was a important presence in the artist’s personal and creative life throughout the 1930s and 1940s. A photographer, painter, and sculptor in her own right, Maar sustained a intricate relationship with Picasso that deeply shaped both their creative practices. Her image features in many works by the Spanish master, making her among his most frequently depicted subjects and a vital muse during a especially fertile period of his career.
Outstanding fundraising results
The latest edition of the “1 Picasso for €100” lottery has demonstrated itself as an extraordinary success, with organisers noting that all 120,000 tickets sold out entirely. The raffle produced an substantial €12m in overall revenue, showcasing the broad public interest for both backing charitable initiatives and the prospect of obtaining a authentic Picasso masterpiece. Of this substantial sum, €1m will be transferred to Opera Gallery, the global art dealer that kindly provided the painting at a preferential price. The leftover funds will be directed towards Alzheimer’s research, maintaining the raffle’s commitment to supporting vital medical and scientific initiatives that benefit society at large.
- All 120,000 raffle tickets sold out, generating €12m in combined proceeds for charitable causes
- Opera Gallery owner made available the painting at a reduced price under its €1.45m official valuation
- Previous raffles collected over €10m for cultural work in Lebanon and African water programmes
- The lottery format makes prestigious artworks available to the broader public outside of traditional auctions
Past raffle winners
| Year | Winner | Artwork |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Pennsylvania fire-sprinkler business worker | Man in the Opera Hat (1914) |
| 2020 | Claudia Borgogno, Italian accountant | Still Life |
| 2024 | Ari Hodara, Parisian sales engineer | Head of a Woman (1941) |
What happens next for the winner
Hodara’s next steps revolve around communicating the extraordinary discovery with his wife, who was working at the time when organisers got in touch with the momentous news. The 58-year-old sales engineer stated his preference to keep the painting rather than put it on sale, indicating he plans to enjoy his surprising purchase. As a self-described art amateur with a appreciation of Picasso’s work, Hodara appears genuinely delighted by the possibility of possessing such a notable cultural gem, having acquired his winning entry mostly spontaneously after learning about the raffle during a casual restaurant meal.
The painting itself, Head of a Woman, represents a highly intimate work from Picasso’s oeuvre, documenting the likeness of Dora Maar during their relationship in 1941. For Hodara, securing this portrait means joining an select circle of raffle winners who have procured authentic Picasso masterpieces through the innovative lottery scheme. Whether he ultimately opts to show the work at his residence, lend it to museums, or reconsider his position in future remains to be seen, but for now, the Parisian art enthusiast can anticipate welcoming one of the greatest artistic figures of the modern era into his home.