Second Picasso found in Turkey

"La Fermiere" in now on display in Ankara

Police in western Turkey have recovered a second stolen painting believed to be by Pablo Picasso.

"Ugly Woman" - a 1938 portrait of the Spanish artist's lover, Dora Maar - was seized in the town of Selcuk on Saturday after a suspected smuggling gang tried to conclude a multi-million dollar deal with undercover officers.

Two suspects have been arrested, and two others are being sought.

Earlier this month, police in the nearby city of Izmir arrested two Syrians and four Turks who were trying to sell Picasso's 1908 "La Fermiere" (the Farmer's Wife).

It is now under lock and key in the Fine Arts Museum in Ankara, where art historians say it is the genuine article.

"Ugly Woman" is said to have been badly damaged

Izmir police chief Hasan Yucesan said experts had conducted a preliminary study on "Ugly Woman", finding that it bore original elements, but had been significanty damaged.

He said police had information that other Picassos had been smuggled into Turkey.

Both of the recovered works are believed to have been stolen from a Kuwaiti palace during the Iraqi invasion of 1990, then brought to Turkey via Syria.

Neither was registered as stolen and nobody has claimed ownership thus far.

"Ugly Woman" is now expected to join "La Fermiere" on display in Ankara.