A rare Pablo Picasso painting is up for grabs in a global charity raffle wrapping up in Paris on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and the buy-in is more dinner-check than millionaires-only. The prize, Tête de Femme, is a 1941 gouache on paper valued at roughly €1 million, with organizers capping sales at 120,000 tickets. At €100 a pop, the campaign gives ordinary buyers a legitimate shot at walking away with a blue-chip masterpiece.
Tickets are priced at €100 and sold exclusively through the raffle's official website, with the live drawing slated for 6 p.m. Paris time in Christie's main auction room. According to 1 Picasso for 100 Euros, the work comes from Opera Gallery and will be on public display at Christie's ahead of the draw.
The event is organized by France's Fondation Recherche Alzheimer, which will direct most proceeds to medical research while paying €1 million to Opera Gallery, AP reports. Organizers say the two previous raffles brought in more than €10 million combined, and a full sell-out of all 120,000 tickets could generate about €12 million for Alzheimer research.
Democratizing a blue-chip market
The "1 Picasso for 100 Euros" format is designed to put high-value art into the hands of everyday buyers instead of limiting ownership to deep-pocketed auction regulars. The initiative has support from people close to the Picasso estate, including organizer Péri Cochin, according to My Modern Met. Past winners have been ordinary people who bought just a single ticket, a track record organizers cite as evidence that the concept can broaden access to major works.
How the drawing works
Sales are capped at 120,000 tickets, and entry is open to adults in countries where online raffles are allowed. The raffle is authorized by the Préfecture de Police of Paris, according to the official FAQ. The draw is conducted under the supervision of a judicial commissioner and streamed live, and the site notes that all sales are final and digital tickets are delivered by email, 1 Picasso for 100 Euros says.
For those following along from the United States, outlets such as CBS Chicago have spotlighted the drawing and the remaining ticket availability in the run-up to the event. After the legal validation process is complete, organizers will contact the winner directly and arrange the transfer of the painting.
