Salvaged after World War II from a much larger piece, 'Monsieur Cicatrice - Nude" is reputed to be haunted by a demon. The painting has passed hands numerous times over the years, but according to the current owner it was first discovered in a trunk left behind by one John Ackart before he left England to fight with the POUM in the Spanish Civil War . The back of the canvas is signed by a Mary Ackart, presumably the younger sister of John. In late 1933 Mary and another young woman, Elizabeth Heaton, were found floating in the Thames River bound to each other at the wrist. Underneath Mary's signature is the following line:
"Love, like death, cannot be hidden forever."
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