The thought-to-be-stolen, actually apparently-not-stolen framed gouache artwork underwent forensic analysis by police working with Spain's Historical Heritage Brigade, who are continuing the investigation.  They have confirmed that the artwork is the original work by the Malaga-born artist.  Once their ongoing investigation concludes, the painting will be returned to the private collector who originally loaned the piece to the CajaGranada Foundation exhibition.

Initial reports had previously stated that the painting had been packed on September 25 and departed the capital on October 2 in a van escorted by two couriers.  That brief, four-hour journey took a puzzling turn as the couriers are said to have made an unusual overnight stop in Deifontes a short distance from their delivery point, sleeping inside their vehicle to guard their high-value cargo, which had a total insured value exceeding €6 million. 

A short while after the shipment of 58 still life works from the 17th century and the 20th century had been delivered to the CajaGranada-Motril Cultural Center, the Picasso was registered as missing. 

The current line of thinking with the Policía Nacional is that they believe the painting may not have even made it onto the transport truck leaving Spain's capital. 

Recuperado el #Picasso 🖼 desaparecido en su traslado a una exposición en #Granada

Podría no haber llegado a subir al camión de transporte

La Brigada de Patrimonio Histórico de @policia mantiene abierta la investigación una vez que agentes de Policía Científica han… pic.twitter.com/lb5jN8tFvI

— Policía Nacional (@policia) October 24, 2025