French court starts assessing case of Pierre Le Guennec and his wife, who claim artist gave them 271 of his works

Would Picasso have donated 271 works to an electrician who worked for him for a few years in south-east France?

A French court has begun to contemplate that mystery as the three-day trial begins of Pierre Le Guennec and his wife, Danielle. They claim the artist or his wife gave them the 180 lithographs, collages and paintings and 91 drawings in about 1970 when Le Guennec began working as a general handyman at Picasso’s estate.

Picasso heirs and a state prosecutor describe the couple’s account as ridiculous.

Le Guennec quietly kept the art in a garage for decades. Produced between 1900 and 1932, the works have never been displayed publicly. The Le Guennecs face up to five years in prison and a €375,000 (£278,000) fine if convicted for concealing stolen goods.

The case is shaping up largely as one of “he said, she said” as some potential witnesses have died in the interim and hard evidence of theft 40 years ago may be hard to come by; furthermore, even the state’s own case doesn’t mention who may have stolen it.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Pierre and Danielle Le Guennec wait for the opening of their trial. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

About five years ago, Le Guennec began worrying about what might come of the works after his death, according to his lawyer. He wanted to avoid any legal headaches for his children, so he contacted the Picasso administration, which looks after works held by his heirs.

In September 2010, Le Guennec travelled to Paris to have the works assessed by the administration. A few days later, they were confiscated by police.

The Le Guennecs have different versions about how they acquired the art.

Pierre allegedly recalled that Picasso’s then wife, Jacqueline, handed him a closed box containing the works, saying “Here, it’s for you. Take it home” — and they never discussed it again. Danielle recalled that her husband came home with a stuffed rubbish bag, and told her Picasso had given the works to him when tidying his studio.