Portugal's police have seized 278 artworks and artifacts, including paintings possibly by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro, at a house in central Portugal after the former butler of their late owner tried to sell some on the black market.
Pieces by 27 different artists were recovered along with ancient sculptures and artifacts from all over the world.
Police said in a statement on Thursday the artworks allegedly belonged to a US citizen who had lived in the town of Penalva do Castelo and died in 2024, and were found in the possession of the former employee.
The raids and searches under "Operation Butler" were carried out in close collaboration with experts from the National Museum Machado de Castro, and the investigation was still ongoing, police said.
The artworks are attributed to 27 different artists, from German Renaissance master Albrecht Durer to Spanish modernists Picasso and Miro to British Pop Art painter David Hockney. The trove also includes ancient sculptures and artefacts from all over the world.
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