PARIS — A novel charity initiative is giving art lovers and altruists alike a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity: enter a Picasso raffle with a €100 ticket for the chance to win an original Pablo Picasso painting valued at approximately €1 million, while helping fund crucial research into Alzheimer’s disease. The draw will take place at Christie’s auction house in Paris on Tuesday, spotlighting how creativity and compassion can intersect for scientific progress.
Picasso raffle brings art and Alzheimer’s research together
The international fundraising campaign, titled “1 Picasso for 100 Euros,” invites participants around the world to purchase a ticket for €100—about $117—for a chance to win Tête de Femme, a 1941 gouache on paper by Picasso. The charity‑driven draw aims to sell up to 120,000 tickets, potentially generating upwards of €12 million for the Alzheimer Research Foundation, France’s leading private financier of Alzheimer’s research. According to the Associated Press, the painting will be displayed at Christie’s Paris galleries in the days leading up to the draw.
Organizers say approximately €1 million of proceeds will be paid to the Opera Gallery, which owns the painting, while the remainder supports scientific study of Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disorder affecting millions globally. The Alzheimer Research Foundation was established in 2004 and has since funded a range of clinical research initiatives.
Legacy of past raffles underlines impact
This is the third time the lottery has been held. The inaugural raffle in 2013 delivered a Cubist Picasso titled Man in the Opera Hat to a Pennsylvania winner, and the 2020 edition saw an Italian accountant win Nature Morte, another Picasso work. Both previous editions raised more than €10 million for humanitarian causes, including cultural preservation in Lebanon and water and hygiene programs in Africa—making the contest into more than just a gamble, but a model of philanthropic impact. ArtNet reported on these earlier draws, noting how successive raffles have built momentum and engagement.
Raising hope and awareness
Supporters say the Picasso raffle is more than a fundraising effort; it’s a symbol of global solidarity against Alzheimer’s. By transforming a prized work of art into a public‑accessible prize, organizers hope to broaden participation far beyond traditional fundraising circles and inspire ongoing support for Alzheimer’s research at a time when breakthroughs are urgently needed.
Christie’s Paris will host the draw at 6 p.m. Tuesday, with the winner to be announced live under supervision. Whether one ticket buys a dream or simply a sense of contributing to a larger cause, the initiative illustrates how art can fuel awareness, resources, and hope for medical advancement.
About Alzheimer’s and the global challenge
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, afflicting millions of people worldwide. Despite decades of research, treatments remain limited and there’s no definitive cure. Research foundations like Alzheimer Research Foundation are critical in funding early‑stage clinical trials, fellowship programs for young scientists, and multinational collaborations aimed at unraveling the biological mysteries of the disease.
