Paris, April 14, 2026
Ari Hodora, a resident of Paris, has won an original Pablo Picasso painting valued at over one million euros after purchasing a 100-euro raffle ticket in a charity event organized by Christie's auction house.
## Charity Raffle for Alzheimer's Research The raffle, held to raise funds for Alzheimer's research, sold 120,000 tickets at 100 euros each through the website www.1picasso100euros.com. Christie's, a leading auction house, orchestrated the event, which has become a recurring initiative to support charitable causes. The winning artwork, titled *Frauenkopf* (Women's Head), is a 1941 portrait of Dora Maar, Picasso's longtime partner and muse.
This marks the third time a Picasso artwork has been raffled off for charity, following similar events in 2013 and 2020. The previous winners included a 25-year-old woman from Pennsylvania in 2013 and an Italian woman in 2020, who received her ticket as a Christmas gift from her son. The consistency of these raffles highlights Christie's commitment to leveraging high-value art for philanthropic purposes.
## The Winning Artwork and Its Legacy The prize, *Frauenkopf*, is a significant piece from Picasso's oeuvre, created during his prolific period in 1941. The portrait depicts Dora Maar, a French photographer and painter who was one of Picasso's most influential romantic partners and artistic collaborators. The painting's estimated value exceeds one million euros, making Hodora's 100-euro investment a remarkable windfall.
Picasso's works have long been coveted in the art world, and their appearance in charity raffles has drawn widespread attention. The 2013 and 2020 winners similarly gained international recognition, with their stories underscoring the accessibility of high art through such initiatives. Hodora's win continues this tradition, blending luck with philanthropy.
## A Growing Trend in Art Philanthropy The success of this raffle reflects a broader trend of using high-value art to fund critical research and social causes. Christie's has pioneered this approach, with each event attracting global participation. The 120,000 tickets sold for the 2026 raffle demonstrate the public's enthusiasm for both the chance to own a masterpiece and the opportunity to contribute to Alzheimer's research.
Previous winners have expressed life-changing experiences, from the Pennsylvania woman who became an overnight art owner to the Italian recipient whose Christmas gift turned into a cultural treasure. Hodora's win adds another chapter to this narrative, proving that art philanthropy can bridge the gap between elite collectors and the general public.
As the latest beneficiary of Christie's innovative fundraising, Hodora now joins a select group of individuals who have gained not just a priceless artwork but also a place in art history. The raffle's continued success suggests that such events will remain a fixture in the intersection of art, charity, and public engagement.
