Officials said that a previously undiscovered painting by Jackson Pollock, the famed American artist, was discovered in Bulgaria as a result of police investigations into international art smugglers.
According to experts, the work could have a value of up to 50 millions euros ($54 million), Bulgarian National Radio reported.
According to the state news agency BTA, several people including citizens of Bulgaria were detained in the international operation.
The report didn’t give any details about the painting or describe it.
Pollock was a key figure in the 1940s and 1950s abstract expressionist movement. He is best known for pouring, dribbling, and dripping paint on large canvases in wild patterns. He died in 1956.
According to the Novinite news agency, Petar Todorov (Bulgaria’s Chief Secretary of Ministry of Internal Affairs), “This is an internationally operated operation with participation of Europol and other countries.”
“To our great delight, we were able to establish and maintain this painting. At the moment, the expertise proves that it is original.”
