The piece was found in a Capri villa 50 years ago.
The painting, titled Buste de Femme Dora Maar, after Picasso’s long-time muse, was found by an unsuspecting junk-shop owner on the Bay of the Naples island in the 1970s.
It has remained in his family’s possession since then.
A “complex graphological examination has now shown it is by the genius of Malaga,” Il Giorno said.
“The signature saying ‘Picasso’ on the front of the original painting Buste de Femme portrait of Dora Maar is autographed and attributable to the hand of the master,” the Milan newspaper said.
“There is no evidence to demonstrate its apocryphal nature.”
It said a report had been delivered to Luca Gentile Canal Mercante, honorary president of the Arcadia Foundation and “a researcher of hidden treasures who has taken to the field to unravel the mystery”.
ANSA
