Think fast — where are rare paintings from famous artists usually displayed? If you thought grocery store, you’d honestly be correct.
A super-rare Pablo Picasso painting, among others, is currently on display at a supermarket in Essonne, France. The store teamed with the National Museum of Modern Art, saying this partnership allows people the opportunity to be exposed to priceless works of art.
The Picasso painting, dubbed “L’Atelier,” has been a hit with shoppers with some even wondering if the painting they passed to pick up their eggs and milk was the real deal.
This exhibit appears to have been inspired by the painter himself, who once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
The goal of showcasing paintings at a grocery store — on top of allowing locals the chance to view works of art they are otherwise unable to see — is for its therapeutic value. Some therapists found a psychological benefit in making art accessible to the masses and, according to feedback from shoppers, the impromptu art display is allowing them to experience those positive effects.
One customer, named Ibrib Joannem, said the painting “does something to me.”
“L’Atelier,” painted in October 1955, was made by Picasso in memory of another great artist and his friend, Henri Matisse. The work depicts the interior of Picasso’s studio in a villa in Cannes, France.
If you’re worried about a shady shopper using the five-finger discount on the work of art, no worries: The paintings have their own security detail to ensure the priceless works of art don’t wind up in someone’s shopping basket.