The Dream (Pablo Picasso, Cubism)

The Dream

The Dream shows the 50-year-old Picasso's 22-year-old mistress, Marie-Therese Walter, in erotic reverie. Half her head appears to be a penis; her hands form a vagina. It's a primal painting and a blissful one, with its simplified forms, lush colours and dancing patterns.

This painting has made headlines a few times. Having secured a $139m sale to collector Steven Cohen in 2006, its then owner, Steve Wynn, put his elbow through it. After a pricey restoration and insurance claim, Cohen eventually bought it in 2013 for $155m.

Back to the Artist Pablo Picasso

Picasso's Other Works

Girl with Mandolin

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon

Factory at Horto de Ebro

Woman Dressing Her Hair

Guernicas

The Studio