Podcast Summary | Todo Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Episode: “Acontece que no es poco | El robo 'fake' de la Dama de Elche”
Date: November 10, 2022
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Guest/Co-host: Carla

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina unpacks the little-known story of the “fake” theft of the Dama de Elche, connecting it to none other than Pablo Picasso. With her signature wit and historical rigor, she explores not only what really happened in 1906, but also the tangled role Picasso played, the rampant art thefts at the Louvre, and how these incidents intersected with the early seeds of Cubism.

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. Introduction & Context ([00:20]–[00:59])

• Picasso’s Shadow: The episode builds on the recent art-themed episodes, teasing Picasso’s involvement in the Dama de Elche’s story, specifically a bizarre episode in 1906 when the French press announced its theft from the Louvre.
• The Artifact: The Dama de Elche is an Iberian urn, frequently claimed by the Valencian community and often in the news, even for things that never happened.

2. The Fake Theft & "Robo Diplomático" ([00:59]–[03:28])

• Fake News Origins: The French press published false news in 1906 about the Dama de Elche being stolen from the Louvre.
• Real Backstory: Its real “theft” was years earlier: in 1898, French art hunters in Spain bought it cheaply from an unwitting farmer and took it to Paris. Nieves calls it a “robo diplomático” (diplomatic theft).
• Neglect in Spain: Spanish authorities gave little importance to the piece at the time.
• Louvre’s Ibérico Room: By 1904, the Louvre’s Ibérico room boasted the Dama de Elche and 50 more pieces from Spain; by 1906, security was so poor that most had been stolen.

“De aquellas 50 piezas íberas que había en el Louvre cuando se inauguró la sala en 1904, quedaban poco más de 20. Siete años después habían birlado 30 piezas.” — Nieves [04:43]

3. Picasso, Apollinaire & the Real Thefts ([03:28]–[07:58])

• Artists Involved: The fake news led to an investigation of real thefts implicating artist Pablo Picasso and poet Guillaume Apollinaire.
• Thierry, the Mastermind: Apollinaire’s assistant, Géry Pieret, realized how easy it was to steal from the Ibérico Room and passed a stolen head to Picasso.
• Picasso’s Fascination: At this time, Picasso was exploring Iberian art and moving towards Cubism, as seen in works like Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.

"Picasso visitaba frecuentemente la Sala Ibérica porque le fascinaba la plástica de ese tipo de arte.” — Nieves [06:29]

• Picasso Buys Stolen Art: Picasso purchased a stolen statuette for 50 francs.

“Picasso le compró la estatuilla por 50 francos.” — Nieves [07:57]

4. Did Picasso Know? ([07:58]–[09:56])

• Complicity Questioned: Carla asks if Picasso knew he was buying stolen art. Nieves suggests it’s unlikely he was unaware, as Picasso had seen the piece in the Louvre.
• Pattern Continues: Further thefts occurred from the same room through 1911—including that year’s infamous theft of the Mona Lisa—and the same actors were embroiled in suspicion thanks to Pieret’s confessions to the press.

“¿Picasso sabía que esa pieza era robada?” — Carla [07:58]
“Prácticamente más adelante juró por Snoopy que no... Pero vamos a ver, ¿cómo no lo iba a saber si la había visto expuesta en sus visitas al Museo del Louvre?” — Nieves [08:06]

5. Panic, Police, & Public Confessions ([09:56]–[11:45])

• Attempted Cover-up: Picasso and Apollinaire, panicked by press coverage, tried to throw the stolen heads into the Seine but lost their nerve, ultimately returning the pieces via the Paris Journal.
• Arrest & Betrayal: Both artists were questioned by police, with Picasso betraying Apollinaire in court by denying he knew him—a rift he admitted guilt over years later.

"Cuando el juez me preguntó '¿conoce a este caballero?', señalándole a Apollinaire, dice me sentí terriblemente asustado y respondí 'no lo he visto en mi vida.'" — Nieves (Paraphrasing Picasso) [11:10]

• Short Jail Time: Apollinaire was jailed for a few days; Picasso was released under word.

6. Aftermath & Artistic Legacy ([12:04]–[12:42])

• The Real Thief Disappears: Pieret vanishes with his gains; authorities clear Picasso and Apollinaire of involvement in the Mona Lisa theft.
• Cubism’s Cornerstone: Decades later, Picasso acknowledges the influence of these Iberian sculptures. He explicitly points to the ears of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon as inspired by the stolen pieces.

“Si miran las orejas de Las señoritas de Aviñón, reconocerán las orejas de esas piezas.” — Picasso (as recounted by Nieves) [12:32]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the “Diplomatic Theft”:
  “El único robo que ha sufrido la Dama de Elche... fue un robo diplomático.” — Nieves [03:46]
• On Museums’ Security:
  “El que no se llevaba algo es porque no quería.” — Nieves [04:53]
• On Picasso’s Betrayal:
  “Vi cómo cambiaba la expresión de Apo, dice se le fue la sangre de la cara.” — Nieves (quoting Picasso) [11:23]
• On Art Influences:
  “Al final de su vida... Picasso acabó confesando de dónde vino su inspiración.” — Nieves [12:32]

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:59 | Introduction to the “robo fake” and Dama de Elche’s real and fake news | | 03:46 | The diplomatic theft: Piece acquired by the Louvre for “a few coins” | | 04:43 | “By 1904… 50 pieces; seven years later, 30 had been stolen” | | 06:29 | Picasso’s fascination with Iberian art and its influence | | 07:58 | Picasso purchases the stolen head | | 09:56 | Attempt to dispose of evidence and fear of being caught | | 11:10 | Picasso betrays Apollinaire in court | | 12:32 | Picasso’s confession about Cubist inspiration decades later |

Conclusion

With her irreverent, insightful style, Nieves Concostrina turns a near-forgotten episode—mixing press blunder, real crime, and art history—into a vibrant tale. The “fake” theft of the Dama de Elche turns out to be a lens through which to see the early cracks in museum security, the bohemian Parisian art world, and the ambiguous morality behind legendary artistic innovations.

“Recuerdan el asunto de las estatuillas robadas del Louvre… si miran las orejas de Las señoritas de Aviñón, reconocerán las orejas de esas piezas.”
— Picasso via Nieves [12:32]

For history buffs or art lovers, this episode offers a witty, vivid look at the intersection of scandal, artistic genius, and the fragile fate of cultural treasures.