Turkish police recover 'stolen Picasso'

Police recovered the oil painting, which has not yet been authenticated, in an undercover sting operation in Istanbul. Credit: PA Wire

Turkish police have recovered an oil painting that looks to be by Picasso in a sting operation in Istanbul.

The state-run Anatolia Agency said police had posed as buyers for the artwork before detaining two suspects who tried to sell it for $8m.

The agency said the painting, which shows an abstract nude female figure brushing her hair, is an authentic work by Spanish painter Pablo Picasso stolen from a woman in New York.

But a statement from Istanbul police said the painting has not been authenticated yet. The painting will now be sent to Istanbul's Mimar Sinan University to be examined.

Turkish police have recovered paintings in similar operations in the past which turned out to be forgeries.