The "Genius" moniker was heavily scrutinized in 2021 through both the series and new academic works like C.F.B. Miller’s book Radical Picasso: The Use Value of Genius . Antonio Banderas on “Genius: Picasso”
Yet, the most theatrical event of the year took place in a Las Vegas casino. For over two decades, eleven Picasso works had hung on the walls of the Picasso Restaurant at the Bellagio Hotel. In October 2021, they went under Sotheby’s hammer. The sale, lasting a brisk 45 minutes, netted a combined . The star lot was the 1938 portrait Femme au béret rouge-orange , depicting Marie-Thérèse Walter, which soared past its estimate to fetch $40.5 million . The MGM Resorts stated the sale would allow them to diversify their collection, bringing in more works by women and minority artists, but for the market, it was a testament to Picasso’s undiminished financial allure. genius picasso 2021